OLD CHEYENNE
(Ian Tyson)
Ian Tyson - 1987


The band would play the anthem 
And the clowns fell down in jest 
All the people saw again 
The winning of the west 
Our stomachs full of nothing 
And our hearts were full of hopes 
As we buckled on our leggings 
And we rosined up our ropes 

And we started going down the road 
In the spring of '74 
If I had me another trade 
I wouldn't ride them bulls no more 
Since Charlie died I tried to forget 
That day in old Cheyenne 
Betty leave your lights on darlin' 
I'm going to make it if I can

Cause it gets inside your blood 
It gets inside your mind 
The only way of life 
There ain't no other kind 
All my thoughts roll back to you 
I hope you'll understand 
Betty leave your lights on darlin'
Going to make it if I can 

The place that's known as Cheyenne 
Is called the daddy of them all 
The one our fathers sang about 
At the round-ups in the fall 
When Charlie drew that spinning bull 
Lord everything went wrong 
Got him in an ambulance
Left me here to sing this song

And I've kept right on a going 
But I drink before I ride 
That bottle brings me courage 
I believe I'm damn near out of pride 
I think I'd get me a factory job 
If you'd help me make my stand 
Betty leave your lights on darlin' 
Going to make it if I can 

Cause it gets inside your blood 
It gets inside your mind 
The only way of life 
There ain't no other kind 
All my thoughts roll back to you 
I hope you'll understand 
Betty leave your lights on darlin'
Going to make it if I can