Intro :
Melody for guitar (low tone)
E|--------0--------------|--------0---------------|
B|--1--2-----1----1------|--1--2-----1-----0--1---|
G|0-------------2----0---| 0-------------2---------|
D|-----------------------|------------------------|
A|-----------------------|------------------------|
E|-----------------------|------------------------|
Note : In the song, keyboard plays it with high note, but if you wanna play it in
low note using guitar, the melody is above
Ryhtm
CFGC 2x
CFC
Way out in Old Nevada, where the Truckee's waters flow,
CDG
Where the cattle are "a-browzin'" an' the Spanish ponies grow;
CFC
Where the Northers "come a-whistlin'" from beyond the Neutral Strip;
CFGC
And the prairie dogs are sneezin', as if they had "The Grip";
GFC
Where the coyotes come a-howlin' 'round the ranches after dark,
GDmDG
And the bluebirds are a-singin' to the lovely "meadow lark";
GDmFC
Where the bighorns are a-grazin' and the lonely plovers call -
GDmFGC
It was there that I attended "The Cowboys' Christmas Ball."
(whoo!)
Back to intro
CFC
The boys had left the ranches and come to town in piles;
CDG
The ladies - "kinda scatterin'" - had gathered in for miles..
CFC
The room was togged out gorgeous - with mistletoe and shawls,
CFGC
And candles flickered frescoes, around the airy walls.
GFC
The women folk looked lovely - the boys looked kinda treed,
GDmDG
Till the leader got to yellin': "Hey, fellers, let's stampede!"
GDmFC
And the music started sighin', an' awailin' through the hall
GDmFGC
As a kind of introduction to "The Cowboys' Christmas Ball."
Back to intro
CFC
Their leader was a feller that came from Swenson's ranch,
CDG
They called him "Windy Billy," from "little Deadman's Branch."
CFC
His rig was "kinda careless," big spurs and high-heeled boots;
CFGC
He had the reputation that come when "a fellers shoots."
AmEm
His voice was like a bugle upon a mountainous height;
FDG
His feet were animated an' a mighty, movin' sight,
CFC
When he commenced to hollerin', "Now, fellers stake your pen!"
CFGC
"Lock horns with all them heifers, an' russle 'em like men.
GFC
"Salute yer lovely critters; now swing an' let 'em go,
GDmDG
"Climb the grape vine 'round 'em - all hands do-ce-do!
GDmFC
"You Mavericks, join the round-up - Just skip her waterfall,"
GDmFGC
Huh! It was gettin' happy, The Cowboys' Christmas Ball
Back to intro
CFC
Don't tell me 'bout cotillions, or Germans, no sir'ee!
CDG
That whirl at Carson City just takes the cake with me.
CFC
I'm sick of lazy shufflin's, of them I've had my fill,
CFGC
Just Give me a frontier break-down, backed up by Wild Ol' Bill.
GFC
McAllister ain't nowhere, when Windy leads the show,
GDmDG
I've seen 'em both in harness, and so I sorta know -
GDmFC
Oh, Bill, I sha'n't forget ya, and I'll oftentimes recall,
GDmFGC
That lively gaited soiree - "The Cowboys' Christmas Ball."
GDmFC
Oh, Bill, I sha'n't forget ya, and I'll oftentimes recall,
GDmFGC
That lively gaited soiree - "The Cowboys' Christmas Ball."