It was in the year of eighty-three,

voiceCollected by Mrs. Dessie Harriman For Mary Celestia Parler Transcribed by Mrs. Dessie Harriman Sung by Mrs. Dessie Harriman Japton, Arkansas August 14, 1959 Reel 287—288, Item 9 The Cowboy's Girl It was in the year of eighty-three, When T. H. stands so he hired me. He says young man I want you to go, And follow my herd to Mexico. It was early in the year, When I volunteered to herd those steers. I'll tell you boys it was a lonesome old go, As the herd rolled on to Mexico. When I arrived in Mexico, I wanted to see my girl but I could not go, I wrote a letter to my dear, But not a word could I ever hear. I started back to my once loved home, Inquired for the girl that I adored. She said young man you had to chance our life, She said young man you can seek another wife. Go curse the gold and silver too, And curse a girl who won't be true. I'll go right back to the Rio Grand, And get me a job with a cowboy band. Oh buddie, oh buddie please don't go, Don't forever be a roam. If you know girls more true than I, Please don't go back where the bullets fly. I know girls more true than you, I know girls who will be true. But I'll go right back where the bullets fly, And follow the cow trails till I die.Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation