Story Behind The Song

My life

Song Description

This song is about the mix of life. Good, bad, happy, sad, satisfying, frustrating....It runs the whole gauntlet. The measure of success isn't how much the good outweighs the bad, or visa versa, but whether, overall, you'd do it all again.

Lyrics

So, ya' tell me you're a cowboy--
that you've got a hoss an' hat,
an' a spread down south of Dillon,
with some hiefers, nice an' fat...

That you won that silver buckle
Ridin' bulls in rodeo;
that a dozen men lie buried
'cause they drew a bit too slow.

Well, I've got this little checklist
that goes right back to the start,
and'll tell just who's a cowboy,
by the memories in his heart.

Have ya' tumbled with the tumbleweeds
and flown where eagles flew?
Have ya' seen alphalfa twinklin' with
the diamonds of the dew?

And, when life is fin'lly over,
And ya face yer last amen,
Will ya smile as ya say it,
"Yep, I'd do it all, again."

Have ya' gazed across the buck-brush
on a cool September morn'
when the clouds are hangin' in the draws
and summer's tired and worn?

Have ya' felt the chill of evenin'
when the snow's upon the peaks?
Have ya' felt the kiss of arctic air
a-nippin' at your cheeks?

Have ya' chased a bunch of wand'rin' strays
'til your plumb-out of gas?
Have ya' cussed your trusty saddle, as
it kissed your tired ass?

Have ya' tumbled with the tumbleweeds
and flown where eagles flew?
Have ya' seen alphalfa twinklin' with
the diamonds of the dew?

And, when life is fin'lly over,
And ya face yer last amen,
Will ya smile as ya say it,
"Yep, I'd do it all, again."

After sellin' off your cattle, have
you ended up flat-broke,
felt the wounds of lifetime ranchin'
ev'ry mornin' when ya' woke?

Have ya' wondered why ya' do it, when
a bus'ness sure it ain't?
Have the tears drenched your bandanna
when ya' shot your trusty paint?

Are ya' hobblin' and a-limpin' from
a life that's bitter-sweet?
Have ya' realized a faithful wife's
a blessin' hard to beat?

Have ya' tumbled with the tumbleweeds
and flown where eagles flew?
Have ya' seen alphalfa twinklin' with
the diamonds of the dew?

And, when life is fin'lly over,
And ya face yer last amen,
Will ya smile as ya say it,
"Yep, I'd do it all, again."