Ballad Of Big

Big Jim Cooley commanded respect, whatever he wanted he could get
The badge on his waistcoat shone in the Sun
It ain't no lie that Big Jim was feared by everyone

In the saloon one evening Big took a bet
With a rancher whose name I forget
He wanted a herd taken over the plain
And he called Jim 'yellow', he'll never do that again

He got mad!
He threw his badge on the floor and walked out
He's gonna give it a try, he left no doubt

Must be mad, he must be mad!
The people wished him well, and good luck
Well I don't need it! He laughed
Got on his horse and rode away

Out on the trail, Jim 'n' his crew of five
Were trying their best to keep the cattle alive
The weather was hard, but so were the men
Though I don't think even Big will try this trip again

His horses were edgy, sensing trouble ahead
But the trouble didn't start until the men were in bed
A-whooping and a-hollering, flashing their knives
Big and his men were jumped by an all-star Indian tribe

He was scared, Big Jim was scared
Alive, they called him lucky, but not today
Cos he died like all good cowboys with his boots on next to his men

Big Jim, he still won't lie down
For him the bet is still on
Some say he rides there, cursing still
Some say they've seen him