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From: "Jim and Donna Lawrence" 
Subject: t/tyson_ian/the_gift.crd
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 14:55:10 -0400

Song: The Gift
Sung by: Ian Tyson
CD: Cowboyography
Written by: Ian Tyson
Transcribed by: M. Lawrence

Verse 1.
C                        F            C
In old St. Louis over in Missouri
F                     C                                 Bb        G
The Mighty Mississippi it rolls and flows
                    C          F        C
A son was born to Mary Russell
F                          C          G                       C
And it starts the legend every cowboy knows

Verse 2.
C                             F                       C
Young kid Russell he was born to wander
F                              C                     Bb       G
Ever westward he was bound to roam
                       C         F      C
Just a kid of sixteen in 1880
                    C            G                   C
Up in wild Montana he found his home

Chorus:
C                 Am                     C
God made Montana for the wild man
                Am               Am7        Dm
For the Peigon and Sioux and Crow
                                                     C
But He saved his greatest gift for Charlie
                             Dm                      C
Said get her all down before she goes---Charlie
                                    Dm
C
You gotta get her all down cause she's bound to go

Verse 3.
God hung the stars over Judith Basin
God put the magic in yound Charlie's hand
All was seen and all remembered
Every shining mountain every longhorn brand
Verse 4.
He could paint the light on horsehide shining
Great passing herds of the buffalo
And a cowcamp cold on a rainy morning
And the twisting wrist of the Houlihan throw
Repeat Chorus:
Verse 5.
When the Lord called Charlie to His home up yonder
He said Kid Russell I got a job for you
You're in charge of sunsets in old Montana
Cause I can't paint them quite as good as you
And when you're done---we'll go out and have a few
And Nancy Russell will make sure it's just two
Repeat Chorus: