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Leaving Old Texas (The Cowman's Lament)

 
This is a melodic echo song that was intended to lull the cattle
to sleep at night. The last word in each line is held until the
echo
person completes the same line.

I'm going to leave old Texas now
They've got no use for the long-horn cow
They've plowed and fenced my cattle range
And the people there are all so strange

I'll take my horse and I'll take my rope
And hit the trail upon a lope
Say adios to the Alamo
And turn my head toward Mexico

The hard, hard ground shall be my bed
And my saddle seat shall hold my head
And when my ride on Earth is done
I'll take my chances with the Holy One

I'll tell Saint Peter that I know
A cowboy's soul ain't white as snow
Yet in that far-off cattle land
He sometimes acted like a man