From the recording The Dealer
Lyrics
Cowtown
by David Leach (used by permission)
The town sprung up on the bend in the river
Where the two turn into one
They laid down the tracks east to west
To make the cross-country run
The towns with barges and trains
Marked the cattle merchant’s reign
Now the Interstate runs with the rails
And the river from KC to Omaha
If you head southwest the turnpike will
Take you through the Flint Hill to Wichita
Where the cattle graze and range
And they build the big jet planes
Born in a cowtown, raised on bull
Goin’ to a hoedown, to a tractor pull
I’ve seen men with death on their boots
And desire in their eyes
They earn their rage and the Union wage
Puttin’ fire in the sky
They got no use for you
They don’t say “Howdy-do…”
And I’ve heard said a man ain’t dead
Till his body gives up his soul
It’s worse, I guess, and worth much less
To have a spirit black as coal
It’s one thing to survive
It’s another to be alive
Born in a cowtown, raised on bull
Goin’ to a hoedown, drink my full
Comin’ up on another Saturday night
Draw my pay, hit the bars
Raise a glass, make the moment last
Maybe tattoo another scar
I ain’t no man’s fool
Been to hard-knock school
If had a dollar for every time I heard ‘em
Hollar, “Last call for alcohol…”
I’d buy me a bottle
Put my food to the throttle
And drive away from it all
Kiss the slaughter house goodbye
Wipe the stockyards from my eyes
Born in a cowtown, raised on bull
Goin’ to a hoedown, a tractor pull
Born in a cowtown…