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Show HOW THEY LIVED The people that used to live out in the West, their standard of livin' wasn't always the best. They had some chickens and maybe a cow, a dog and a cat, a team and a plow. They had an old wagon for going to church and the men folks was lucky with one Sunday shirt. The women all wore long dresses, back then, and a big sun-bonnet tied under her chin. High button shoes made a gal look her best and some fancy ruffles 'round the hem of her dress. They had get-togethers, back in them days and they rode that old wagon for a mighty long ways. Those folks, they were happy, if maybe by chance they all got together at some country dance. Cowboys and sheepherders rode in for miles, men folks would nod and the gals would just smile. An old squeaky fiddle, a guitar with six strings, some would recite, others would sing. Kids wrapped in a blanket, against the wall on the floor, the fiddle would squeal and the kids they would snore. Imagine them old folks at a country wing ding when the fiddle would play and the caller would sing. He'd call a square dance or maybe a Paul Jones, they'd waltz and they'd two step before they went home. Then there would be trouble, most everyone knowed, at the little schoolhouse, there at the crossroads. Some cowpuncher or sheepherder would get way too tight, he'd wear his six shooter and spoil for a fight. Those God-fearin' folks, were sure to jump in and try to stop violence before it begin. For out in the bushes was a jug full of corn and the trail that led to it was mighty well warm. But somehow or other when the dance would end everyone was alive, like when it began. Those folks would head home with a lot of goodbyes and some of the ladies had tears in their eyes. 34 Cowboy Poetry From Utah |