PRETTY PAINTED LADIES
(Fred Koller)


Bobby Bare - 1975





By a blackened wood stove in a rundown old bunkhouse
Sat an old buckaroo with his hat in his hand
He lowered his voice as he told us about 'em
The wild western women that wore no man’s brand

He remembered how they'd drive you plum crazy
Dancin' for nickels 'neath the barrooms oil lights
We'd come off the trail, they’d be waitin' for us
Pretty painted ladies in dresses so bright

Where are all the pretty painted ladies
Where's all my dance hall gals
Where are you Lil, are you still young and pretty
And a waitin' for me at the end of my trail

Slowly they'd swirl with the ranchers and wranglers
While the piano played on into the night
Just a-kickin' their skirts past the lonely rawhiders
Pretty painted ladies I miss you tonight

I told the old timer they moved off a long time ago
There ain't no more pretty Lil, old man, no Buffalo Sal
He said, son, some nights I can see 'em
Just a-singin' and a-dancin' at the end of my trail

Oh, where are all the pretty painted ladies
Where's all my dance hall gals
Where are you Lil, are you still young and pretty
And a waitin' for me at the end of my trail






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - May 2012)