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81. Blue Shadows on the Trail
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Blue Shadows on the Trail
Sons of the Pioneers lyrics –
Shades of night are fallin'   
As the wind begins to sigh
And the world's silhouetted 'gainst the sky

Blue shadows on the trail
Blue moon shinin' through the trees
And a plaintive wail from the distance
Comes a driftin' on the evenin' breeze

Move along, blue shadows, move along
Soon the dawn will come and you'll be on your way
Until the darkness sheds its veil
There'll be blue shadows on the trail

Move along, blue shadows, move along
(Move along, move along, move along)
Soon the dawn will come and you'll be on your way (on your way)
Until the darkness sheds its veil
There'll be blue shadows on the trail

Shadows on the trail.
 .
#81
    sung by Sons of the Pioneers
    sung by Bing Crosby


 
Oh! Susanna
Al Jolson lyrics –
Oh I come from Alabama wid ma banjo on my knee
I'se a gwine to Louisiana my true love fo' to see
Oh it rained so hard the day I left the wedda it was dry
The sun so hot I froze to death Susanna don't you cry

Oh! Susanna don't you cry for me
I'm a come from Alabama wid my banjo on my knee

Oh I had a dream de udda night when everything was still
I thought I saw Susanna dear a-coming down de hill
De buckwheat cake was in her mouth de tear was in her eye
Says I was coming from de South Susanna don't you cry

Oh! Susanna don't you cry for me
I'm a come from Alabama wid my banjo on my knee
Oh! Susanna don't you cry for me
I've a come from Alabama with ma banjo on my knee.


#82
    sung by Al Jolson
    sung by John McEuen

Steven Foster

 
Sweet Betsy from Pike
Burl Ives lyrics –
Do you remember sweet Betsy from Pike
Crossed the big mountain with her lover Ike
With two yoke of oxen a big yaller dog
A tall Shanghai rooster and one spottled hog

Hoodle dang polly dido hoodle dang polly day

They soon reached the desert where Betsy give out
Down on the sand she lay rolling about
Ike he gazed at her with sobs and with sighs
Quoth he, "Get up Betsy you'll get sand in your eyes."

Hoodle dang polly dido hoodle dang polly day

The Shanghai run off and the cattle all died
The last piece of bacon that mornin' was fried
Ike got discouraged and Betsy got mad
The dog wagged his tail and looked wonderf'ly sad

Hoodle dang polly dido hoodle dang polly day

Long Ike and sweet Betsy attended a dance
Ike wore a pair of his Pike County pants
Sweet Betsy was dressed up in ribbons and rings
Quoth Ike, "You're an angel, but where are your wings?"

Hoodle dang polly dido hoodle dang polly day

A miner come up says will you dance with me
I will you old hoss if you don't make too free
And I'll tell ya the reason da you want ta know why
Doggone you I'm chuck full of strong alkalai

Hoodle dang polly dido hoodle dang polly day.



#83
    sung by Burl Ives
    sung by Johnny Cash

Burl Ives

 
The Colorado Trail
Bar D Wranglers lyrics –
Stars fading in the night
Day's gone a-gray
Sun will be a-risin' soon
Everything will lay

Weep all ye little rains
Wail winds wail
All along along along
The Colorado trail

Eyes like the mornin' star
Cheeks like a rose
Laura was a pretty girl
God Almighty knows

Weep all ye little rains
Wail winds wail
All along along along
The Colorado trail

[Violin and Guitar]

Ride all the lonely night
Ride through the day
Keep the herd a-movin' on
Movin' on its way

Weep all ye little rains
Wail winds wail
All along along along
The Colorado trail

All along along along
The Colorado trail.


#84
    sung by Bar D Wranglers
    sung by Don Edwards

 Keep the herd a-movin' on

 
When Roy Rogers Was Around
Bill Barwick lyrics –
I paid my dime, took my seat
Watched him ride across the silver screen
Catchin' the bad guys... savin' the town
Life was a whole lot better when Roy Rogers was around.

Lord it was a different time back then
Life was good and men were men
Never had no worries... never saw a frown
Life was a whole lot better when Roy Rogers was around.

Roy never gave up, he never gave in
Never backed down, he'd always win
Never compromised with the bad guys nobody... pushed him around
Life was a whole lot better when Roy Rogers was around.

[Guitar]

Now life was a whole lot sweeter then
Skies seemed bluer and the grass was greener
Nothin' bad ever lasted long... nothin' much got you down
Life was a whole lot better when Roy Rogers was around.

I still see Roy a-ridin' in my dreams
Trigger and Dale still look the same
Got me through some hard times... saw me safe and sound
Life was a whole lot better when Roy Rogers was around.

Roy never gave up, never gave in
Never backed down, he'd always win
Never compromised with the bad guys nobody... pushed him around
Life was a whole lot better, life was a whole lot better
Life was a whole lot better when Roy Rogers was around.

[Guitar]

#85
    sung by Bill Barwick
    sung by W. C. Jameson


 
Navajo Rug
Ian Tyson lyrics –
Well it's two eggs up on whiskey toast
Home fries on the side
Wash 'er down with the roadhouse coffee
Burns up your inside

It's just a Cañon, Colorado diner
And a waitress I did love
I sat in the back 'neath an old stuffed bear
And a worn out Navajo rug

Now old Jack the boss, he left at six
And it's "Katie, bar the door."
She'd pull down that Navajo rug
And she spread it 'cross the floor

Hey, I saw lightning cross the sacred mountains
Saw them woven turtle doves
When I was lyin' next to Katie
On that old Navajo rug

Aye, aye, aye, Katie
Shades of red and blue
Aye, aye, aye, Katie
Whatever became of the Navajo rug and you?

Katie, shades of red and blue

Well, I saw old Jack about a year ago
He said, "The place burned to the ground
"And all I saved was this old bear tooth
"And Katie she's left town."

"Ah, but Katie, she got her souvenir too,"
Jack spat a tobacco plug
"Well you should have seen her comin' through the smoke
"A-draggin' that Navajo rug."

Aye, aye, aye, Katie
Shades of red and blue
Aye, aye, aye, Katie
Whatever became of the Navajo rug and you?

So every time I cross the sacred mountains
And lightning breaks above
It always takes me back in time
To my long lost Katie love

But everything keeps on a-movin'
Everybody's on the go
Hey you don't find things that last any more
Like an ol' woven Navajo

Aye, aye, aye, Katie
Shades of red and blue
Aye, aye, aye, Katie
Whatever became of the Navajo rug and you

Katie, shades of red and blue
Aye, aye, aye, Katie
Whatever became of the Navajo rug and you
Katie, shades of red and blue...


#86
    sung by Ian Tyson
    sung by Jerry Jeff Walker


 
Remember the Alamo
Donovan lyrics –
A hundred and eighty were challenged by Travis to die
By a line that he drew with his sword as the battle drew nigh
A man that crossed over the line was for glory
And he that was left better fly
And over the line crossed a hundred and seventy-nine

Hey up Santy Anna they're killin' your soldiers below
So the rest of Texas will know
And remember the Alamo

Jim Bowie lay dyin' his blood and his powder were dry
But his knife at the ready to take him a few in reply
Young Davy Crockett lay laughin' and dyin'
The blood and the sweat in his eyes
For Texas and freedom a man was more willin' to die

Hey up Santy Anna they're killin' your soldiers below
So the rest of Texas will know
And remember the Alamo

A courier came to battle once bloody and loud
And found only skin and bones where he once left a crowd
Fear not little darlin' of dyin'
If the world is sovereign and free
For we'll fight to the last for as long as liberty be

Hey up Santy Anna they're killin' your soldiers below
So the rest of Texas will know
And remember the Alamo
And remember the Alamo.



#87
    sung by Donovan
    sung by Johnny Cash

Col. William Travis
Gen. Santa Anna

 
Billy the Kid
Marty Robbins lyrics –
I'll sing you a true song of Billy the Kid
I'll sing of some desperate deeds that he did
Way out in New Mexico long long ago
When a man's only chance was his own forty-four

When Billy the Kid was a very young lad
In old Silver City he went to the bad
Way out in the West with a gun in his hand
At the age of twelve years he did kill his first man

There's Mexican maidens play guitars and sing
Songs about Billy, their boy bandit king
'Ere his young manhood has reached its sad end
With a notch on his pistol for twenty-one men

Was on a sad night when poor Billy died
He said to his friends, "I'm not satisfied
There's twenty-one men I have put bullets through
Sheriff Pat Garrett must make twenty-two!"

I'll sing you how Billy the Kid met his fate
The bright moon was shinin' the hour was late
Shot down by Pat Garrett who once was his friend
The young outlaw's life is now come to an end.

There's many a man with a face fine and fair
Who start out in life with a chance to be square
Just like poor Billy they wander astray
They'll lose their lives in the very same way.



#88
    sung by Marty Robbins
    sung by Woody Guthrie


 
Life's Railway to Heaven
Patsy Cline lyrics –
Life is like a mountain railroad
With an engineer that's brave
We must make the run successful
From the cradle to the grave

Watch the curves the hills and tunnels
Never falter never fail
Keep your hand upon the throttle
And your eye upon the rail

Blessed Savior thou will guide us
Till we reach that blissful shore
Where the angels wait to join us
In that great forevermore

Blessed Savior thou will guide us
Till we reach that blissful shore
Where the angels wait to join us
In that great forevermore.



#89
    sung by Patsy Cline
    sung by Boxcar Willie

           Patsy Cline

 
The Old Chisholm Trail
Randy Travis lyrics –
[Instrumental]

Well come along boys and listen to my tale
I'll tell you 'bout my troubles on the old Chisholm Trail
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay yippee yay
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay

I started up the trail October twenty-third
Started up the trail with a U-2 herd
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay yippee yay
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay

On a ten dollar horse and a forty dollar saddle
Started out punchin' them longhorn cattle
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay yippee yay
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay

With my seat in the saddle and my hand on the horn
I'm the best danged cowboy that was ever born
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay yippee yay
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay

[Fiddle]

It's cloudy in the west and looking like rain
And my danged old slicker's in the wagon again
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay yippee yay
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay

The wind began to blow and the rain began to fall
And it looked like we were gonna lose 'em all
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay yippee yay
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay

No chaps no slippers and it's pourin' down rain
I swear I'll never night herd again
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay yippee yay
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay

I trip on my horse and I don't know how
Ropin' these longhorn U-2 cows
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay yippee yay
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay

[Fiddle]

Well I went to the boss to draw my roll
And the boss had me figured nine dollars in the hole
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay yippee yay
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay

Well me and the boss we had a little spat
So I hit him in the face with my ten-gallon hat
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay yippee yay
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay

The boss said to me, "Well I'll fire you
Not only you, but the whole dang crew!"
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay yippee yay
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay

I'll sell my horse, I'll sell my saddle
And you can drive all your longhorn cattle
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay yippee yay
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay

[Fiddle]

Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay yippee yay
Come a ti yi yippee yippee yay.


#90
    sung by Randy Travis
    sung by Woody Guthrie


 
Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott
The Statler Brothers Lyrics –
[Instrumental]

Everybody knows when you go to the show
You can't take the kids along
You've gotta read the paper and know the code
Of G, PG and R and X

And you gotta know what the movie's about
Before you even go
Tex Ritter's gone and Disney's dead
And the screen is filled with sex

Whatever happened to Randolph Scott
Ridin' the trail alone
Whatever happened to Gene and Tex
And Roy and Rex the Durango Kid

Oh whatever happened to Randolph Scott
His horse plain as could be
Whatever happened to Randolph Scott
Has happened to the best of me

[Instrumental]

Everybody's tryin' to make a comment
About our doubts and fears
True Grit's the only movie
I've really understood in years

You've gotta take your analyst along
To see if it's fit to see
Whatever happened to Randolph Scott
Has happened to the industry

Whatever happened to Johnny Mack Brown
And Alan Rocky Lane
Whatever happened to Lash Larue
I'd love to see them again

Whatever happened to Smiley Burnett
Tim Holt and Gene Autry
Whatever happened to all of these
Has happened to the best of me

Whatever happened to Randolph Scott
Has happened to the industry.

[Instrumental]


#91
    sung by The Statler Brothers
    sung by Jim Cook

Randolph Scott

 
Desert Pete
Kingston Trio lyrics –
I was travelin' west of Buckskin on my way to a cattle run
Cross a little cactus desert under a hot blisterin' sun
I was thirsty down to my toenails, stopped to rest me on a stump
But I tell ya I just couldn't believe it when I saw that water pump

I took it to be a mirage at first it'll fool a thirsty man
Then I saw a note stuck in a bakin' powder can
"This pump is old," the note began, "But she works so give'r a try
"I put a new sucker washer in 'er you may find the leather dry."

"You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe
"You've got to give of yourself 'fore you're worthy to receive
"Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet
"But leave the bottle full for others, thank you kindly, Desert Pete."

"Yeah, you'll have to prime the pump, work that handle like there's a fire
"Under that rock you'll find some water I left in a bitters jar
"Now there's just enough to prime it with, so don't you go drinkin' first
"You just pour it in and pump like mad, buddy, you'll quench your thirst."

"You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe
"You've got to give of yourself 'fore you're worthy to receive
"Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet
"But leave the bottle full for others, thank you kindly, Desert Pete."

Well I found that jar and I tell ya nothin' was ever prettier to my eye
And I was tempted strong to drink it 'cuz that pump looked mighty dry
But the note went on, "Have faith my friend, there's water down below
"You've got to give until you get, I'm the one who ought to know."

So, I poured in the jar and I started pumpin' and I heard a beautiful sound
Of water bubblin' and splashin' up outta that hole in the ground
I took off my shoes and I drunk my fill of that cool refreshing treat
I thank the Lord and thank the pump and I thank old Desert Pete

"You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe
"You've got to give of yourself 'fore you're worthy to receive
"Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet
"But leave the bottle full for others, thank you kindly, Desert Pete."

"Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet"
"But leave the bottle full for others, thank you kindly, Desert Pete."


#92
    sung by The Kingston Trio
    sung by Billy Edd Wheeler


 
Rocky Mountain High
John Denver lyrics –
He was born in the summer of his twenty-seventh year comin' home
To a place he'd never been before
He left yesterday behind him you might say he was born again
You might say he found a key for every door

When he first came to the mountains his life was far away
On the road and hangin' by a song
But the string's already broken and he doesn't really care
It keeps changin' fast and it don't last for long

It's the Colorado Rocky Mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
The shadows from the starlight are softer than a lullaby
Rocky Mountain high Colorado, Rocky Mountain high Colorado

He climbed cathedral mountains he saw silver clouds below
He saw everything as far as you can see
And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun
And he lost a friend but kept the memory

Now he walks in quiet solitude the forest and the streams
Seeking grace in every step he takes
His sight is turned inside himself to try and understand
The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake

And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
Talk to God and listen to the casual reply
Rocky Mountain high Colorado, Rocky Mountain high Colorado

Now his life is full of wonder but his heart still knows some fears
Of a simple thing he cannot comprehend
Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more
More people, more scars upon the land

And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
Know he'd be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle fly
Rocky Mountain high the Colorado Rocky Mountain high

I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
Friends around the campfire and everybody's high
Rocky Mountain high Colorado, Rocky Mountain high Colorado
Rocky Mountain high Colorado, Rocky Mountain high Colorado
Rocky Mountain high Colorado, Rocky Mountain high Colorado.


#93
    sung by John Denver
    sung by Jeffrey Walker

John Denver

 
Theme from The Searchers
Sons of the Pioneers lyrics –
What makes a man to wander,
What makes a man to roam?
What makes a man leave bed and board
And turn his back on home?

Ride away, ride away, ride away

[Instrumental]

Some men they search for Injuns
Or humpback buffalo
And even when they've found them
They move on lonesome slow

Ride away, ride away, ride away

The snow is deep and oh so white
The winds they howl and moan
Fire cooks a man his buffalo meat
But his lonely heart won't warm

Ride away, ride away, ride away

A man will search his heart and soul
Go searchin' way out there
His peace of mind he knows he'll find
But where oh Lord, Lord where?

Ride away, ride away, ride away.



#94
    sung by Sons of the Pioneers
   sung by Tex Ritter


 
Wagon Wheels
Sons of the Pioneers lyrics –
Wagon wheels (rollin' rollin' rollin') wagon wheels
Keep on a-turnin' (turnin') wagon wheels
Roll along (rollin' rollin' rollin') sing your song
Carry me over the hill (carry me over the hill)

Roll on mule there's a steamer at the landin'
Waitin' for this cotton to load
Roll on mule the boss is understandin'
There's a pasture at the end of each road

Wagon wheels (rollin' rollin' rollin') wagon wheels
Keep on a-turnin' (turnin') wagon wheels
Roll along sing your song
Wagon wheels carry me ho-o-o-o-ome

Wagon wheels carry me home
(Wagon wheels carry me home).



#95
    sung by Sons of the Pioneers
    sung by Paul Robeson


 
Vaya con Dios (May God Be with You)
Les Paul & Mary Ford lyrics
Now the hacienda's dark the town is sleeping
Now the time has come to part the time for weeping
Vaya con Dios my darling
Vaya con Dios my love

Now the village mission bells are softly ringing
If you listen with your heart, you'll hear them singing
Vaya con Dios my darling
Vaya con Dios my love

Wherever you may be I'll be beside you
Although you're many million dreams away
Each night I'll say a prayer a prayer to guide you
To hasten every lonely hour of every lonely day

Now the dawn is breaking through a gray tomorrow
But the memories we share are there to borrow
Vaya con Dios my darling
Vaya con Dios my love

[Guitars]

Vaya con Dios my darling
Vaya con Dios my love.



#96
    sung by Les Paul & Mary Ford
    sung by Anne Murray


 
Ridin' Down the Canyon
Riders in the Sky lyrics –
When evenin' chores are over in our ranch house on the plains
'N all I have to do is lay around
I saddle up my pony and go ridin' down the trail
'N watch the evenin' sun go down

Ridin' down the canyon to watch the sun go down
A picture that no artist e'er could paint
White faced cattle lowin' on the mountainside
I hear a coyote whinin' for its mate

Cactus plants are bloomin' sagebrush everywhere
Granite spires standing all around
I tell you folks it's heaven to be ridin' down the trail
When the desert sun goes down

[Violin and Guitar]

Cactus plants are bloomin' sagebrush everywhere
Granite spires are standing all around
I tell you folks it's heaven to be ridin' down the trail
When the desert sun goes down.



#97
    sung by Riders in the Sky
    sung by Gene Autry


 
Shifting Whispering Sands
Sons of the Pioneers lyrics –
Listen to the age old story of the
Shifting whispering sands

Yes it always whispers to me
Of the days of long ago
When the settlers and the miners
Fought the crafty Navajo

How the cattle roamed the valley
Happy people worked the land
And now everything is covered
By the shifting whispering sands

How the miner left his buckboard
Went to work his claim that day
And the burros broke their halters
When they thought he'd gone to stay

How they found the aged miner
Lying dead upon the sand
After months they could but wonder
If he died by human hand

So they dug his grave and laid him
On his back and crossed his hands
And his secret still is hidden
By the shifting whispering sands

This is what they whispered to me
On that quiet desert air
Of the people and the cattle
And that miner lying there

If you want to learn their secret
Wander through this quiet land
And I'm sure you'll hear the story
Of the shifting whispering sand

Shifting whispering sand.


#98
    sung by Sons of the Pioneers
    sung by Jim Reeves (w/narration)


 
Oklahoma Hills
Hank Thompson lyrics –
Many months have come and gone
Since I wandered from my home
In those Oklahoma hills where I was born
Many a page of life has turned
Many a lesson I have learned
Yet I feel like in those hills I still belong

Away down yonder in the Indian nation
I rode my pony on the reservation
In the Oklahoma hills where I was born
Away down yonder in the Indian nation
The cowboy's life is my occupation
In the Oklahoma hills where I was born

But as I sit here today many miles I am away
From the place I rode my pony through the draw
Where the oak and blackjack trees
Kiss the playful prairie breeze
In those Oklahoma hills where I was born

Away down yonder in the Indian nation
I rode my pony on the reservation
In the Oklahoma hills where I was born
Away down yonder in the Indian nation
The cowboy's life was my occupation
In the Oklahoma hills where I was born

[Instrumental]

Now as I turn life a page
To the land of the great osage
In those Oklahoma hills where I was born
Where the black oil rolls and flows
And the snow white cotton grows
In those Oklahoma hills where I was born

Away down yonder in the Indian nation
I rode my pony on the reservation
In the Oklahoma hills where I was born
Away down yonder in the Indian nation
The cowboy's life was my occupation
In the Oklahoma hills where I was born

In the Oklahoma hills where I was born.



#99
    sung by Hank Thompson
    sung by Jack Guthrie


 
The Master's Call
Marty Robbins lyrics –
When I was but a young man I was wild and full of fire
A youth within my teens but full of challenge and desire
I ran away from home and left my mother and my dad
I know it grieved them so to think their only boy was bad

I fell in with an outlaw band their names were known quite well
How many times we robbed and plundered I could never tell
This kind of sinful livin' leads only to a fall
I learned that much and more the night I heard my Master call

One night we rustled cattle a thousand head or so
And started them out on the trail that leads to Mexico
But a Norther started blowin' and lightning flashed about
I thought someone was callin' me I thought I heard a shout

Then at that moment lightning struck not twenty yards from me
And left there was a giant cross where once there was a tree
And this time I knew I heard a voice a voice so sweet and strange
A voice that came from everywhere a voice that called my name

So frightened I was thinking of sinful deeds I'd done
I failed to see the thousand head of cattle start to run
The cattle they stampeded were running all around
My pony ran but stumbled and it threw me to the ground

I felt the end was near, that death would be the price
When a mighty bolt of lightning showed the face of Jesus Christ
And I cried oh Lord forgive me don't let it happen now
I want to live for you alone Oh God these words I vow

My wicked past unfolded I thought of wasted years
When another bolt of lightning killed a hundred head of steers
And the others rushed on by me and I was left to live
The Master had a reason life is his to take or give

A miracle preformed that night I wasn't meant to die
The dead ones formed a barricade least six or seven high
Right behind it there was I afraid but safe and sound
I cried and begged for mercy kneelin' there upon the ground

A pardon I was granted my sinful soul set free
No more to fear the angry waves upon life's stormy sea
Forgiven by the love of God a love that will remain
I gave my life and soul the night the Savior called my name.


#100
    sung by Marty Robbins
    sung by Don Edwards


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Website Copyright 2020 Skip Skipson. All rights reserved. Copyright of all songs, lyrics, images, performances, etc. presented or linked to here remains with the owners of that material. This compilation is intended only for commentary, research, teaching, and scholarship. Other uses are strictly prohibited.
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