RIDE COWBOY RIDE
(Lee Emerson)

as recorded by Marty Robbins
1960


Ride cowboy ride, don't ride too slow,
Tucson's a mighty long way yet to go!

He started his long ride in Prescott,
The sun was a hundred and more!
On down he rode at full gallop,
Into the flat desert floor.

Driving the big herd to Flagstaff,
In Prescott the letter was there,
Happiness soon would be sorrow,
Sad news the letter did bear.

Ride cowboy ride, don't ride too slow,
Ride cowboy ride, you've a long way to go!

Your darlin' now lies on her death bed,
Racked by fever and pain;
Reaching for you at her bedside,
At each breath she's callin' your name.

Forward he leaned in the saddle,
Pushing through mesquite and sage,
His head never raised for a greeting
As he passed the Wickenburg stage.

Ride cowboy ride, don't ride too slow,
Tucson's a mighty long way yet to go!

In Phoenix he traded horses;
Now on the back of his roan
He could see visions of Tucson,
His darlin' and their lovely home.

Ride cowboy ride, don't ride too slow,
There's still a hundred and twenty to go!

In through the ranch gate he galloped,
And without breaking his stride,
He bounded out of the saddle
And rushed to his sweet darlin's side.

Then, as the dyin' girl saw him,
A smile came over her face.
Holding her hand as it tightened,
Barely had he won the race!

Ride cowboy ride, on through the blue,
Ride cowboy ride, she'll be waiting for you!
Ride cowboy ride, on through the blue,
Ride cowboy ride, she'll be waiting for you!




(Transcribed by Peter Akers - October 2020)