Cowboy Retirement Home

Worn out old cowboy and broken down dog
Rest on a porch of a cabin of logs
Eyes closed and dreamin', they still have a few
Dreams of cattle, and horses and when life was new.
Ropin' and ridin', workin' hard the day long
Dog barks, nips at cattle and howls out a song
Young man sits tall in his saddle so new
He winked at the ladies and kissed him a few.
Roped a few calves and herded the strays
Knew he'd be ridin' till the end of his days
Cashed all his paychecks, bought beer and grub
When he was achin', he'd soak in a tub.
Never complained, he never wanted to
Seldom thought about it, there was too much to do
Cared little about low pay or retirement plans
He was a cowboy, hard worker, a man.
Then old age it caught him, with aches, hurt and pain
They gave him a watch, but forgot his name
They tore down the bunkhouse, he had no place to go
He had to move on, the rancher said so.
So he bought an old roan mare and rode slow away
He rode into the mountains, rode most of the day
Headed for that cabin he knew as a child
Though the path was all hidden, overgrown and wild.
Old dog, he followed, feet hurtin', head low
Old cowboy was weary, not much further to go.
They found the old cabin, not bad for its age
Grown up with brambles, wild roses and sage
He swept out the few rooms, mended the chairs

Unrolled his bedroll, opened windows to air.
He found a few apples hangin' on a tree
Since his pockets were empty, was glad they were free
With a chair he had mended and his old pocket knife
He carved on an apple and examined his life.
Eatin' a slice, he threw the peel to his dog
Leaned his chair back, head resting on a log.
Sleep soon caught up, and captured those two
They weren't needed or wanted, had nothing to do.
Worn out old cowboy and broken down dog
Rest on a porch of a cabin of logs
Eyes closed and dreamin', they still have a few
Dreams of cattle, and horses and when life was new.