*Intro:
C# F# C# C# F# Ab C#
E | --------------4------------------------- | -----------------4----------------------- |
B | -----6-----7-----6---------------------- | -------6-----7------6-------------------- |
G | --6--------------------6--------6------- | ----6--------------------6---------5--6-- |
D | -----------------------------8-----6---- | -------------------------------8--------- |
A | ---------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
E | ---------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
C# F# C#
Way out in North Nevada, where the Trukee's waters flow
C# F# Ab
Where the cattle are "a-browzin'' and the Spanish ponies grow
C# F# C#
Where the Norther comes whistlin' from beyond the Neutral strip
C# F# Ab C#
And the prairie dogs are sneezin' as if they had "the Grip"
Ab Bbm F# C#
Where the coyotes come a-howlin' round the ranches after dark
Ab Bbm F# Ab
And the blue-birds are singin' to the lovely "medder lark"
Ab Bbm F# C#
Where the big horns are grazin' and the lonely plovers call
Ab Bbm F# Ab C#
It was there that I attended "The Cowboys' Christmas Ball"
*(REPEAT INTRO)
C# F# C#
The boys had left the ranches and come to town in piles
C# F# Ab
The ladies "kinder scatterin'" had gathered in for miles
C# F# C#
The room was togged out gorgeous with mistletoe and shawls
C# F# Ab C#
And candles flickered frescoes around the airy walls
Ab Bbm F# C#
The "wimmin folks" looked lovely, the boys looked kinder treed
Ab Bbm F# Ab
Till their leader commenced yellin': "Hey, fellers, let's stampede"
Ab Bbm F# C#
The music started sighin' and a-wailin' through the hall
Ab Bbm F# Ab C#
As a kind of introduction to "The Cowboys' Christmas Ball"
*(REPEAT INTRO)
C# F# C#
The leader was a fellow that came from Swenson's Ranch
C# F# Ab
They called him "Windy Billy," from "little Dead-man's Branch"
C# F# C#
His rig was "kinder keerless," big spurs and high-heeled boots
C# F# Ab C#
He had the reputation that comes when "fellers shoots"
Bbm Fm
His voice was like the bugle upon the mountain's height
Bbm F# Ab
His feet were animated, an' a mighty movin' sight
C# F# C#
When he commenced to holler, "Now, fellers, stake yer pen!
C# F# C#
Come on! lock horns to all them heifers, an' russle 'em like men
Ab Bbm F# C#
Saloot yer lovely critters; now swing an' let 'em go
Ab Bbm F# Ab
Climb the grape vine round 'em , all hands do-ce-do!
Ab Bbm F# C#
And Mavericks, jine the round-up, jest skip her waterfall"
Ab Bbm F# Ab C#
Huh! hit wuz gittin' happy, "The Cowboys' Christmas Ball!"
*(REPEAT INTRO)
C# F# C#
Don't tell me about cotillions, or germans. No sir 'ee!
C# F# Ab
That whirl at Carson City just takes the cake with me
C# F# C#
I'm sick of lazy shufflin's, of them I've had my fill
C# F# Ab C#
Just give me a fronteer breakdown, backed up by Wild Bill
Ab Bbm F# C#
McAllister ain't nowhere! when Windy leads the show
Ab Bbm F# Ab
I've seen 'em both in harness, an' so I sorter know
Ab Bbm F# C#
Oh, Bill, I sha'n't forget yer, and I'll oftentimes recall
Ab Bbm F# Ab C#
That lively-gaited sworray, "The Cowboys' Christmas Ball"
Ab Bbm F# C#
Oh, Bill, I sha'n't forget yer, and I'll oftentimes recall
Ab Bbm F# Ab C#
That lively-gaited sworray, "The Cowboys' Christmas Ball"
*Outro: Ab - C#
