Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Contrary to what I perceive others like, I only have three songs which I like and remember only a single verse or so, which I sing to myself at odd times.

1. Streets of Laredo, or Cowboy’s Lament
2. Theme from movie High Noon, song by same name
3. Me and Bobby McGee

I would not give a whoop and holler for all the things that are being offered songs today. I suppose young parents will entertain their babies with grunts and growls.

You may have also noticed that all these were written by Texans and mostly sung by Texans.
All, that is except Streets of Laredo. The melody of this song is quite old, coming to us from Ireland and has its origins in the late 1600’s!

The king of England, Henry V, in his tiff with the Pope over divorce, had all the Catholic Bishops defrocked in England, Ireland and Scotland! One, who became a wandering minstrel in credited with a song whose music has had a long life, even landing the U.S, many different words were sung with this tune, and there are over 100 verses of Streets of Laredo.

Do you suppose any current Hip Hop hits will last that long? Just Sayin…RJS

dbed Loc: POMME DE TERRE LAKE MISSOURI

I hope not I wouldn't want future generations tormented by what is called music today

Dan Singletary Loc: Keller, TX

Glad to hear you got back online Mr Samples after your computer incident.

Those are some good songs, what singer do you like the best for a version of Bobby McGee ?

Most my favorites songs are also from Texas singers or songwriters although one of the older ones is Mr Bojangles which was written by Jerry Jeff Walker who spent a lot of time in Austin TX but was originally from upstate New York.

Graywulff Loc: Cortez,Co.

And my favorite version of Mr. Bojangles was done by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Just sayin’🙂

Bcmech1 Loc: Clinton Wisconsin

I always liked El Paso by Marty Robbins

AltaBell Loc: Tolland Ct

Any thing by Marty Robbins is great in my book

Rheatown Loc: Greeneville tn

3 good ones for sure only state singers come from is tx and Kentucky in my opinion most songs I listen to are from texas singer/songwriters kris is also one of my favorites and billy joe shaver is right up at the top also

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

My vote “Amarillo by morning”—George Strait.

Foodfisher Loc: SO. Cal coast

" if you buy an outfit
you can be a cowboy too."

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yes, the Smothers Brothers did a terrific job of joking about Steets of Laredo! My grand nephew and I did an on-stage presention about his having his horses stolen and he comes out on stage with two replica Colt pistols and chaps, boots, vest and hat. He is an 8th generation Texan! Just Sayin...RJS

SDJayhawk Loc: San Diego, CA

EL PASO by Marty Robbins

Out in the west Texas town of El Paso I fell in love with a Mexican girl.
Nighttime would fine me in Rosa's Cantina,
Music would play and Felina would whirl.
Black as the night were the eyes of Felina,
Wicked and evil while casting a spell.
My love was strong for this Mexican maiden,
I was in love, but in vain I could tell.
One night a wild young cowboy came in, wild as the west Texas wind...
Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing,
With wicked Felina, the girl that I love.

So in anger I challenged his right for the love of this maiden;
Down went his hand for the gun that he wore.
My challenge was answered, in less than a heartbeat
The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor.

Just for a moment I stood there in silence,
Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done.
Many thoughts ran through my mind as I stood there;
I had but one chance and that was to run.

Out through the back door of rose's I ran, out where the horses were tied
I picked a good one; he looked like he could run,
Up on his back and away I did ride.

Just as fast as I could from the west Texas town of El Paso,
Out through the badlands of New Mexico.
Back in El Paso my life would be worthless;
Everything's gone in life nothing is left.

But it's been so long since I've seen the young maiden,
My love is stronger that my fear of death.
I saddled up and away I did go, riding alone in the dark...
Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me,
Tonight nothing's worse than this pain in my heart.

And as last here I am on the hill overlooking El Paso,
I can see Rosa's Cantina below.
My love is strong and it pushes me onward, down off the hill to Felina I go.

Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys,
Off to my left ride a dozen or more.
Shouting and shooting; I can't let them catch me,
I've got to make it to rose's back door.

Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel
A deep burning pain in my side.
Though I am trying to stay in the saddle,
I'm getting weary, unable to ride.
But my love for
Felina is strong and I writhe where I've fallen.
Though I am weary, I can't stop to rest

I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle,
I feel the bullet go deep in my chest.
From out of nowhere, Felina has found me,
Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side.
Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for,
One little kiss and Felina good-bye.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Bob Weir (of the Grateful Dead) did an admirably great job "covering" this song...coin flip for Marty vs.Bob on this one on "who did it best".

And for another epic "cowboy song", check out Bobby's version of "Me and my Uncle". The ending gives you an idea of the "morality" of SOME (certainly not all !) of those cowpokes.

SDJayhawk Loc: San Diego, CA

Here is the last half of “Me and My Uncle.” The old man doesn’t sound like too bad of a guy….just can’t say much for his nephew! Maybe if those boys did a little more fishing they would be more mellow souls….

Hey now, high-low jack and the winner take the hand
My uncle start winning, the cowboys got sore
One of them called him, and then two more
Accused him of cheatin', oh no, it couldn't be
I know my uncle, he's as honest as me
Hey now, I'm as honest as a Denver man can be, that's right
One of them cowboys, he starts to draw
And I shot him down, Lord, he never saw
Shot me another, hot damn, he won't grow old
In the confusion, my uncle grabbed the gold
And we hightail it down to Mexico
Now I love those cowboys, I love their gold
Love my uncle, God rest his soul
Taught me good, Lord, taught me all I know
Taught me so well, that I grabbed that gold
I left his dead ass there by the side of the road, yeah

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

A couple of words are a bit off, but yeah....that seems to be the gist of the daily struggles and turmoil of the long ago cowboy, morality-wise, and going through a strange town.

Growing up in Kansas as part of cattle-oriented family and having met a few of the helpful (but highly unlikely to be sitting in one of the pews in my Dad's church, on Sunday mornings !) cowboys that my uncles would hire to help move steers twice a year, I have no trouble imagining the internal angst most of those guys struggled with, back in "the Wild West" environs.