Stampede

There's just one word I don't want to hear
When I heard it called, it cost a friend quite dear
I can hear it echo as though it were now
When I was a-chasing of the long horned cow
Stampede, they're coming up to draw
Stampede, three thousand herd or more
Here they come a-smoking fire
Boys, you better earn your hire
Stampede and hell to score
Now Frank, he was my partner, he rode point upon my heart
We drank and fought and partnered back to back at trouble's start
We heard the call on evening in the thunder and the black
When the lightning hit the leaders and the devil led the pack
Stampede, they're coming up to draw . . .
Our horses, they were handy, for we had just rode in
We went from drinking coffee to thinking of our sins
There wasn't time for praying, there was hardly time to cuss
It was a smoking roaring rattle and the leaders were on us
Stampede, they're coming up to draw . . .
Old Frank's foot, it missed the stirrup and his hand it missed the horn
And as the cattle crossed him, from his body life was torn
I was mounted and a-riding when I heard his final yell
Said, "Hey Johnny, head the wild bunch and do the ladies well"
Stampede, they're coming up to draw . . .
No, I ain't got no partner because old Frank's done dead and gone
But just so he'd be remembered Peter put him in this song
Some admire headstones but I think he'd like this best
He weren't fancy in his living so he ain't fancy in his rest
Stampede, they're coming up to draw . . .