Story Behind The Song

This is a song to celebrate Charlie Russell and yet at the same time to see how his life as a cowboy artist was dramatically changing with the coming of the Iron Horse and all the people moving out west.

Song Description

The great American Cowboy Artist - Charlie Russell

Lyrics

THE GHOST OF CHARLIE RUSSELL
David Walburn © 2004

VERSE A When the west was still young and had room for dreamers
Were the Blackfeet and the Buffalo roamed
There came a young man they called Kid Russell
Making Montana his home

VERSE B He lived out his days riding high in the saddle
Drifting the range with the wind
And day after day he covered his canvass
With the stories of the west and its men

VERSE C And ever where he rode the legend would grow
Of a cowboy with vision and dreams
Who could paint anything that he sees

CHORUS And they say the Ghost of Old Charlie Russell
Each day at first light he rides
Crossing the range with color and canvas
To paint each new Montana sky

VERSE A When the Iron Horse rolled west it brought with it changes
Leaving now room for wild things to run
And with no time to lose Charlie painted his pictures
Before the west could be won

VERSE B Cause deep down he knew there was no time to lose
And you can?t get it back once its gone
And I guess Charlie?s works still not done

CHORUS Cause? (Repeat)

VERSE A Now the Indians they say a horse and his rider
When the die reunite with the band
To pick up the trail that will show them the way
To the Sand Hills of the Great Spirit land

VERSE B So look toward the ski and you?ll understand why
The sunsets out west are so grand
It?s due to the work of one man