Blue Shadows on the Trail                    Eliot Daniel / Johnny Lange     #81 Hear this song as sung by Sons of the Pioneers     Read about it                     Hear another version by Bing Crosby Sons of the Pioneers lyrics – Shades of night are fallin' As the wind begins to sigh And the world is 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   Oh! Susanna                                                                             Stephen Foster     #82 Hear this song as sung by Al Jolson     Read about it                     Hear another version by John McEuen 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.   Sweet Betsy from Pike                                                       John A. Stone     #83 Hear this song as sung by Burl Ives     Read about it                     Hear another version by Johnny Cash 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.   The Colorado Trail                                                                      Traditional     #84 Hear this song as sung by Bar D Wranglers     Read about it                     Hear another version by Don Edwards Bar D Wranglers lyrics – Stars fading in the night Day's gone a-gray Sun will be risin' soon Everything will lay Weep all ye little rains Wail winds wail All along along along The Colorado trail Eyes like the morning 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   When Roy Rogers Was Around                                 W. C. Jameson     #85 Hear this song as sung by Bill Barwick     Read about it 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]   Navajo Rug                                                                              Jerry Jeff Walker     #86 Hear this song as sung by Ian Tyson     Read about it                     Hear another version by Jerry Jeff Walker 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 Canyon, 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...   Remember the Alamo                                                           Jane Bowers     #87 Hear this song as sung by Donovan     Read about it                     Hear another version by Johnny Cash 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.   Billy the Kid                                                                                       Traditional     #88 Hear this song as sung by Marty Robbins     Read about it                     Hear another version by Woody Guthrie 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 had reached his sad end With a notch an his pistol for twenty one men Was on a sad night when poor Billy died He said to his friend, "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 wandered astray They'll lose their lives in the very same way!   Life's Railway to Heaven                                   Charles Davis Tillman     #89 Hear this song as sung by Patsy Cline     Read about it                     Hear another version by Boxcar Willie 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   The Old Chisholm Trail                                                           Traditional     #90 Hear this song as sung by Randy Travis     Read about it                     Hear another version by Woody Guthrie Randy Travis lyrics – 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   Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott          D. Reid / H. Reid     #91 Hear this song as sung by The Statler Brothers     Read about it                     Hear another version by Jim Cook Statler Brothers lyrics – 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 G, PG and R and X You gotta know what the movie's about Before you even go Tex Ritter's gone and Disney's dead 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 gotta take your analyst along To see if it's fit to see Whatever happened to Randolph Scott Has happened to the best of me 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 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   Desert Pete                                                                           Billy Edd Wheeler     #92 Hear this song as sung by The Kingston Trio     Read about it                     Hear another version by Billy Edd Wheeler 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"   Rocky Mountain High                                   John Denver / Mike Taylor     #93 Hear this song as sung by John Denver     Read about it                     Hear another version by Jeffrey Walker John Denver lyrics – He was born in the summer of his twenty-seventh year coming 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 hanging 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.   Theme from The Searchers                                                Stan Jones     #94 Hear this song as sung by Sons of the Pioneers     Read about it 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.   Wagon Wheels                                                       Peter DeRose / Billy Hill     #95 Hear this song as sung by Sons of the Pioneers     Read about it                     Hear another version by Paul Robeson 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).   Vaya Con Dios                     Larry Russell, Inez James & Buddy Pepper     #96 (May God Be with You)           Hear this song as sung by Les Paul & Mary Ford     Read about it                     Hear another version by Anne Murray 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.   Ridin' Down the Canyon                                                Smiley Burnette     #97 Hear this song as sung by Riders in the Sky     Read about it                     Hear another version by Gene Autry Riders in the Sky lyrics – When evening 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.   Shifting Whispering Sands                 Mary Hadler / V. C. Gilbert      #98 Hear this song as sung by Sons of the Pioneers     Read about it                     Hear another version by Jim Reeves (full version with narration) 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 hands 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 sands Shifting whispering sands.   Oklahoma Hills                                                                      Woody Guthrie     #99 Hear this song as sung by Hank Thompson     Read about it                     Hear another version by Jack Guthrie 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 A way 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.   The Master's Call                                                           Marty Robbins     #100 Hear this song as sung by Marty Robbins     Read about it                    Hear another version by Don Edwards 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 And 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. This is Top 100 Songs 81-100 – Go to 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80, Navigation Pages, Home Top of Page

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