Chord Req: Short Grass (Ian Tyson)

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass (Ian Tyson)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 04 May 10 - 10:17 AM

gold river, old river, cold river? The debate rages.

I live in Kansas City, on the Missouri River. It is a brownish-yellow color from its load of fine soil (loess) originally ground up by glaciers. As the song says, 'silt and soil, down it boils...'

The Yellow River of China is the same.

So I would vote for 'gold,' because these words were written by someone with a farmer or a naturalist's eye to a real landscape.

'Cold' makes sense, too, because the river is taking in snowmelt. Trouble with that is, people who live on these rivers would never go in them when they are running cold and fast, so they would have little concern with their temperature.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass (Ian Tyson)
From: GUEST,steve48
Date: 04 May 10 - 08:24 AM

Another lover of Ian & Sylvia's recorded music, since the 60's. For Spanish is a Loving Tongue, I always sing, "Lost me heart and left to roam, Adios, mi corazon." Rather than "left her own".

The "Original Lyrics" by Charles Badger Clark say "Left her heart and lost my own"

Bob Dylan sang it as: "Broke her heart, lost my own"

That's why they call it Folk Music!

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass (Ian Tyson)
From: GUEST,Jlsdirect
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 02:31 PM

Does anyone have the lyrics to Barney?

As for Spanish Is A Loving Tongue? Ian was never better.

Subject: Ian Tyson's "Old Corrals and Sagebrush"
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jun 08 - 03:06 PM

Has anyone worked out the chords for this song? The verses seem easy enough - I do the opening in G and C - but I'm lost on the bridge. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Bill S.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 05 May 08 - 08:18 PM

And thank you all for the info on this song.

I appreciate it greatly.

Don

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 05 May 08 - 08:15 PM

There are a few on YouTube.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,Harry Lime
Date: 05 May 08 - 03:38 PM

Does anyone know where videos of I & S performances can be had?

Subject: Chords Add: SPANISH IS THE LOVING TONGUE
From: GUEST
Date: 05 May 08 - 12:37 PM

As to Spanish Is A Loving Tongue:

Spanish Is A Loving Tongue    Words Charles Badger Clark/Music traditional

Capo 3rd fret

(G) (D7) (G)        
Spanish is a (C)loving tongue,
(G) Soft as music, (Am) light as (D)spray.
(G) Was a girl that I (C)learned it from,
(G) Living down So(D7)nora (G)way.
(C) I don't (D)look much (C) like a (G)lover,
But I (Em)say her (Am)love words (D)over,
(G) Mostly when I´m (C)all alone,
(G) 'Mi amor, mi (D) cora(G)zon.' (C)(D)(D7)(G)

On the nights that (C)I would ride,
(G) She would listen (Am) for my (D)spurs,
(G) Throw the big door (C)open wide,
(G) Raise them laughing (D7)eyes of (G)hers.
(C) How those (D)hours would (C) get to (G)flyin',
All too (Em)soon he'd (Am)hear her (D)sighing
(G) In her little (C)sorry tone,
(G) 'Mi amor, mi (D) cora(G)zon.' (C)(D)(D7)(G)

Well, I ain't seen her (C) since that night,
(G) I can't cross the (Am)line, you (D)know.
(G) They want me for a (C)gambling fight,
(G) Like as not, it's (D7)better (G)so.
And (C)yet I´ve (D)always (C) sort of (G)missed her,
Since that (Em)last sad (Am)night I (D)kissed her,
(G) I lost my heart and (C)left her own,
(G) Adios, mi (D)cora(G)zon, (C)(D)(D7)(G)
Lost my heart (C)left her own,
(G) Adios, mi (D)co(D7)ra(G)zon. (D) (D7) (G) (C)(D)(D7)(G)

© Charles Badger Clark, All Rights Reserved

[e-mail]

Subject: Chords Add: SHORT GRASS (Ian Tyson)
From: GUEST
Date: 05 May 08 - 12:36 PM

Here´s what I play - though I think I&S play in D, capo 2nd.

Short Grass    Music Sylvia Fricker/Words Ian Tyson

Capo 4th fret

(C) (Em) (F) (G7) (C)
The sun burns the (Em)snow (F)high on the (G7)mountains,
It (C)runs and it (Em)grows (F)as (G7)it (C)falls.
Silt (C/B)and (Am)soil, (D)down it (G7)boils,
(C)Down to the (G)valleys the (C)gold river (Em)rolls
(F)To (G)the (C)plains.

The range land lies (Em)high (F)up from the (G7)river,
The (C)coulees are (Em)dry where the (F)short (G7)grass (C)grows.
Fields (C/B)of (Am)hay, (D)cottonwood (G7)shade.
(C)Green patch of (G)home, through the (C)high dusty (Em)lands
The (F)ri(G)ver (C)flows.

Early evening (Em)light, (F)boys practice (G7)roping,
The (C)day fades a(Em)way, the (F)night (G7)rolls (C)on.
Lives (C/B)of (Am)pride, (D)men who (G7)ride,
(C)They keep the (G)old skills that (C)came up the (Em)trail
From (F)Me(G)xi(C)co.
- Instrumental verse -

The long river (Em)winds thru (F)green years and (G7)dry years,
(C)Brand ´em in the (Em)spring, (F)ship ´em (G7)in the (C)fall.
A new (C/B)colt (Am)foaled, the (D)mare grows (G7)old,
(C)Cycle of (G)changes in (C)this changeless (Em)land,
Where the (F)short (G)grass (C)grows,
In this changeless (Em)land,
Where the (F)short (G)grass (C)grows.

© Sylvia Fricker & Ian Tyson, All Rights Reserved

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,Nelson
Date: 24 Feb 08 - 06:03 PM

What are the chords used on "Spanish is a loving tongue'?

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,Dave in Seattle
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 09:21 PM

Yep, Don Edwards!! Thanks, Don. My brain just wouldn't kick into gear on that one.

Dave in Seattle

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 11:25 PM

That would be Don Edwards.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,Dave in Seattle
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 10:36 PM

I'm with TJ in San Diego--their version of "Spanish is A Loving Tongue" is absolutely gorgeous. I think that I once heard it sung by one of the "cowboy" singers (I believe his first name is Don, and I also believe he sang with Nanci Griffith on her "Other Voices, Other Rooms" album--but his last name escapes me right now). But I have never heard anyone sing it better that Ian. A great song.

Now, for sheer energy and hard driving folk blues, does it get any better than Sylvia doing "Ella Speed"; and with John Herald on guitar? Whoa, doggies--I could listen to that one till the cows come home!!

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: Art Thieme
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 09:03 PM

Good discussion, folks.

More recently Ian and Tom Russell have done some great work. REAL songs not watered down---strong emotions precipitating stronger repercussions.

Art

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 07:02 PM

On one of their first albums; perhaps it was their first, Ian did "Spanish is The Loving Tongue." I have seldom heard it done better, nor with more feeling. Anyone else?

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,Dave in Seattle
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 03:02 PM

Here's what Wikipedia says about Claude Dallas' release from prison: "Dallas served 22 years in prison, his sentence being reduced by eight years for good behavior. He was released in February 2005." The Wikipedia article about Dallas gives the details of his shooting of Pogue and Elms, and also discusses why he was given a relatively light sentence (30 years, as opposed to life).

I can't see Dallas as "folk hero", as some have made him out to be; after all, he shot Pogue and Elms down in cold-blood and shot them again execution style. BUT--I still can't help but like Ian Tyson's song (although I'm not sure Tyson actually wrote the song; I'm thinking that it was written by someone else but recorded by Tyson--I'm just not certain of this).

As I'm sitting here writing this, I am listening to I & S sing "Handsome Molly". They were just so good (oh my--now they're doing "Little Beggarman"; can't recall if it was John Herald playing guitar with them on that one, but it's darned good whoever is playing). Their music is indelible and will last forever, I'm convinced.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 01:12 PM

Quoting Dave in Seattle: "...I read an article this past year noting that Claude Dallas had been released from prison."

I figured he'd never get out, must be too old to worry the authorities anymore. Wonder if he disappeared again into the "Northern Mystery"?

SC

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,Ed in Orem, UT
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 12:08 AM

Searched into here looking for Chords to "Short Grass". Glad to see there are so may fans of Ian and Sylvia still out there. There was a little club called the "Golden Bear" in Huntington Beach, CA that they used to come to a couple times a year in the early 1960's. At that time I was studying at Long Beach State and learning the guitar. Steve Gillette was a regular there too. Monte Dunn would appear with Ian and Sylvia. It was just an extraordinary experience to hear these great folks sing and play such wonderful music. I still can't listen to "Four Rode By" without practically having an out of body experience. I was very happy to see that Vanguard has preserved this music for future generations. I hope there is still a demand for it. That would give me hope. There is something about the sound of a big flattop acoustic guitar. I can't explain it but it has such power. The best to y'all.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,Dave in Seattle
Date: 15 Jan 08 - 03:19 PM

Wow, it's great to know there's still plenty of folks out there listening to the great, great sounds of Ian and Sylvia. I have hardly gone a week since about 1966 without listening to some I & S, or them individually (Ian's "Cowboyography" is one of the best recordings ever made by anyone, in my humble opinion).

And, while we're on the subject of chords, does anyone have the chords for their version of "Pride of Petrovar"? I dearly love that song, but for some reason I'm just missing something in picking along. Would love some help on that one!

Interestingly--speaking of Ian's "Cowboyography"--I read an article this past year noting that Claude Dallas had been released from prison.

Have a great day, all!!!   Dave in Seattle, [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,John Kidder
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 02:27 PM

Great to find this thread.

I used to cowboy for a living in the interior of BC, mostly at the Douglas Lake Cattle Company - for years, the lines

"early evening light
the boys practice roping
day fades away, the night rolls on
lives of pride, men who ride
they keep the old skills that came up the trail
from Mexico"

have resonated with me and taken me right back to standing around outside the cowcamp cabin, practicing roping all right, or braiding one more piece of gear.

Tyson and Stan Rogers had the gift of capturing the life of a working person in all sorts of venues.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 22 Jul 07 - 11:43 PM

I have always sung "The cold river rolls"

The first version I ever heard of this song was by Marc Chevalier in Attica (or there abouts) New York. Marc is across picker with an un erring technique it seems.

I find Ian Tyson has songs that are little glimpses into every day life or compact looks into people and lifes experiences. Canadian Whiskey
and Four Strong Winds are just so.

In many ways the same as Utah Phillips.

Don

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: Cluin
Date: 22 Jul 07 - 10:04 PM

How I've been doing it for years:

      G             Bm    C           D7
  The sun burns the snow, high on the mountains
     G           Bm    C  D7 G
  It runs and it flows as it falls
  Em       C     Am      D7
  Silt and soil, down it boils
  G           D7           G          Am
  Down to the valleys, the gold river rolls
  C  D7  G
  To the plains
  

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: jacquie
Date: 22 Jul 07 - 09:40 PM

Hi,
Actually Monte Dunn is on several tracks on the Early Morning Rain album
shares Lead Guitar w/Ian on Title track "Early Morning Rain", plays lead on "Come In Stranger"
Shares with Ian again on "Nancy Whiskey" -- "Awake Ye Drowsy Sleepers"--"Marlborough Street Blues"--"Travelling Drummer"

Monte lead on "Darcy Farrow" --- "Red Velvet"----"Song for Canada"

NORTHERN JOURNEY album "Moonshine Can" Monte on Mandolin
"Nova Scotia Farewell" -- Monte lead guitar
"Someday Soon" --Monte and Ian lead
"Captain Woodstock's Courtship" Monte second guitar
"Green Valley" -- Monte on mandolin

He played quite a bit. Monte passed away this past April 25, 2007 and we hope he is remembered for all he contributed as he hadmany wonderful stories to tell of his early folk days.

JM

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 01:07 PM

>>Do you have (of course you do!) Live from Longmont?<<

Yes, as a matter of fact I bought my copy and one for my son at the concert here in Mississippi. It was the latest thing Ian had out at the time. I think the only thing of his from earliest Ian & Sylvia to date that I don't have is a "best of" compilation album from 20 or so years back. Since I had all the songs that appear to be on that album, I've never bought it.

Of all his stuff, the album I like best and play the most is "18 Inches of Rain". That's followed closely by "Old Corrals and Sagebrush and Other Cowboy Culture Classics." I've used those two to "turn on" some new IT fans locally (people who liked cowboy ballads but had never heard of IT).

SC

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,Louise in Lex
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 10:13 AM

SC:

How lucky you were to get to attend that concert. Back in '89, I was out in Cody, Wyoming and just missed his concert by about 2 days. If I had only known . . . .

Do you have (of course you do!) Live from Longmont? I'm afraid that's going to have to do me for a "live" Ian Tyson concert experience for the next couple of years until I'm out of school again and able to travel. Then, if he is still performing - and how could he not be - I'll track him down in Canada.

I keep asking Michael Johnathon of Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour to get him down here but Michael mostly books performers who are in the general area for another gig and who can travel to Lex to appear on his show on Monday night. I don't think Canada, CA (or even Mississippi although it's at least on our side of the continent) would be in the general area, unfortunately for me.

I went to Ian's website last night and he plays mostly in Canada and California so I'm thinking the mountain will have to go to Mohammed.


Louise

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 09:01 AM

Thanks Louise for digging a little deeper than I was willing to take time for.

Some of you might be interested to know that we actually got Ian down in our deep south state of Mississippi for a concert about 3 years ago. It probably never would have happened but one of the wealthy members of the Bryan family in NE Mississippi (the family that built up a local butcher shop/slaughterhouse into a major national meat products producer) apparently chipped in a big front advance to get Ian to make the trip. It was held in a high school auditorium so it probably had no more than 300 seats but the place was packed with standing room only. I didn't know a Canadian cowboy singer like Ian had that big of a following way down here. If my older son hadn't been in school at Miss State Univ nearby, no one outside of the immediate area would have even known about the concert. As soon as he saw a poster for ticket sales, he called me 'cause he knew I was a big IT fan. That was one of the best concerts I've ever attended, just wish it could have go on all night so Ian could have done some more of his older stuff.

SC

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: Chris in Portland
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 07:37 PM

Time flies when you're retired - You might write Mike Regenstreif to see if he kept a copy and might share. I saw I&S on New Year's Eve '62 or so - right after the first lp came out, and then Ian alone about 1988 in LA.
Mike R has also interviewed Sylvia in the last year - I think she said she was just trying for interesting harmonies and did not have a set plan in mind.
Whatever it was, was great though.
Chris

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,Louise in Lex
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 07:16 PM

SC:

From what I can find on the CKUT website, Ian's show was December 14th and they only archive their shows for 2 months so it seems we JUST missed being able to hear it. Unless anyone else knows of a "secret" archive I may have missed.

Louise

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 06:01 PM

>>ps - really enjoyed the recent Ian interview on CKUT's Roots and Branches - might still be posted. <<

Chris in Portland: do you have the date the Tyson interview was done? The archives for the programs don't give any clue as to content. I'd really like to hear it but unfortunately I don't have time to listen to all of the archives to find it.

Thanks.

SC

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,Louise in Lex
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 03:31 PM

Chris:

Back in the '60s when Ian & Sylvia were touring and performing, my [then] husband and I were also performing locally. We did a lot of their material finding it to be very singable as well as grittier and closer to the originals and less "pop" compared to many of the slick overproduced versions of the so-called "folk songs" which were heard back in then. They hold up very well and I still can bring an audience (and myself) to tears with Four Strong Winds. . . aaaaahhhh.

I used to do Wild Geese mainly so I could play the solo on the autoharp. I learned to play to play autoharp practicing on Katy Dear. I heard Ian & Sylvia in Columbus, OH in the late 60s or early 70s fairly soon before they split.

I have found CKUT and am searching for Ian's interview.

I just stumbled on this website last night while searching for some fairly obscure lyrics (Twa Craw - I found them but not here) and am delighted to run into a forum like this where music is freely discussed and shared with much evident love for it.

Louise in Lex

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: Chris in Portland
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 02:51 PM

Wild Geese is a nice song too. That and Four Strong Winds have certainly held up well. Sure would be nice to some singers today using I&S's great harmonies - and if the producers kept the two parts as well separated in the recordings as Vanguard did.
Chris in Portland.
ps - really enjoyed the recent Ian interview on CKUT's Roots and Branches - might still be posted.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: pdq
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 01:18 PM

ooops...thank you Louise in Lex...I was going to dig-out them ol' records tooo but you saved a bunch of work. CRS strikes again.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 12:55 PM

Thanks, pdg. I was going to agree with you - I had temporarily forgotten about John Herald - but I went back and dug out [and I DO mean DUG out] the album and there were only three people playing on most of the cuts: Felix Pappalardi on bass and Ian Tyson and Rick Turner (are you familiar with him? I'm not.) both on guitar. Eric Weissberg plays banjo on Molly and Tenbrooks.

Vis a vis Molly & Tenbrooks, I was fortunate enough to meet and hear Steve Gillette back in the mid '60s. He was travelling solo and playing the university coffee house circuit - he was superb! His guitar playing was way ahead of his time. He came through KY a couple of times and I taped him the second time he was through. By then, Linda Ronstadt and the Stone Poneys had done several of his songs and Ian & Sylvia had done Darcy Farrow which he said he and Tom Campbell wrote for a folklore class project they were assigned.   They were supposed to have "collected" a song but they wrote one instead passing it off to their professors as collected. (Shades of John Jacob Niles!) I recorded Steve's version of Molly & Tenbrooks (minus the 6/8 timing) backed up by J.D. Crowe who had Doyle Lawson in his band at the time. It was a hoot!

It's nice to find a place where folks remember - and appreciate - the really fine folks who came before. I have most of Ian & Sylvia's albums and most of Ian and Sylvia's solo albums since they split. It's interesting to hear the changes in their styles and voices.

Lightfoot was through here a few years ago and it was interesting to note that although he has lost much of his voice, his phrasing still makes his songs "work."

We in Central Kentucky have been VERY fortunate to have had some really good musicians either come through or reside here for a time and I have been very fortunate through the years to have been able to meet and pick with many of them.


Louise in Lex

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: pdq
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 12:31 PM

Louise in Lex:

It sounds like Ian does the (fairly simple) melody part in the guitar break, with John Herald doing the fills (including arpeggios). Monte Dunn was great but does not actually play on very many songs on the two albums on which he appears. His mandolin is quite important on "little Beggerman" and a few others.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 12:10 PM

>>One other thing - is it "gold river" or should it be "old river"? <<

I always thought it was "cold river".
Been listening to Ole Ian since the 60s. They don't come no better'n him!

SC

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: mg
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 09:19 PM

can't help but I love the song. mg

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,Louise in Lex
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 09:09 PM

I used to do it in C capoed about 2. I believe Ian & Sylvia do it off of C chords. You can pick the melody in the break off of C easily.

I haven't looked at that album in years - wasn't that Monte Dunn playing all the hot licks?

C-Em-F-G
C-Em-F-G
C-Am-D-G(7)
C-G-C-Em-F-G-C

Louise

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: open mike
Date: 19 Jul 06 - 12:31 PM

i thought it was CRS (Can't Remember Shit)

Subject: Chords Add: SHORT GRASS (Ian Tyson)
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 18 Jul 06 - 12:48 PM

Big oops! Except for one, them Bm chords should oughtta be Em. Maybe that's why "couple of spots sound different". Sheesh!

This time fer sure! . . .

The (D)sun burns the (Em)snow (G)high on the (A7)mountains
It (D)runs and it (Em)flows (G)as (A7)it (D)falls
(D)Silt and (Bm)soil, (Em)down it (A7)boils
(D)Down thru the (A7)valleys the (D)gold river (Em)rolls
(G)To (A7)the (D)plains

One other thing - is it "gold river" or should it be "old river"?

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 01:00 PM

Thanks Jeremiah, I appreciate this very much. I had the last three lines prety much front to back. CMS, Crumbling Mind Syndrome is a horrible thing.

D

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Short Grass by Ian Tyson
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 12:38 PM

Found a recording. A couple of spots sound different, but I suspect that's just chord voicings or the effect of an alternate tuning. I hope.

I&S do it in 'E', btw.

Subject: Chords Add: SHORT GRASS (Ian Tyson)
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 03:15 AM

I'm finding this hard to believe, never done the song myself, haven't thought of it in years, and yet it's there and crystal clear in my mind. Copied the lyrics (thank you, Don), picked up my bass and tried to work it out. Came surprisingly quickly.

The D - Bm may have an A in between as a passing chord, but I do believe the following will work:


The (D)sun burns the (Bm)snow (G)high on the (A7)mountains
It (D)runs and it (Bm)flows (G)as (A7)it (D)falls
(D)Silt and (Bm)soil, (Em)down it (A7)boils
(D)Down thru the (A7)valleys the (D)gold river (Bm)rolls
(G)To (A7)the (D)plains

Subject: Lyr Add: SHORT GRASS (Ian Tyson)
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 05:34 PM

Well, I used to know this song. Now I'm drawing chord blanks.
Can anyone give me a heads up here?

I'll say thanks in advance.

Don


THE SHORT GRASS by Ian Tyson

The sun burns the snow high on the mountains
It runs and it flows as it falls
Silt and soil, down it boils
Down thru the valleys the gold river rolls
To the plains

The range land lies high up from the river
The coulees are dry where the short grass grows
Fields of hay, cottonwood shade
Green patch of home in the high dusty lands
The river flows

Early evening light, boys practice roping
The day fades away, the night rolls on
Lives of pride; men who ride
They keep the old skills that came down the trail
From Mexico

The long river winds thru green years and dry years
Brand'em in the spring, ship'em in the fall
A new colt foaled; the mare grows old
Cycle of changes in this changless land
Where the short grass grows
In this changless land where
The short grass grows