*Intro:
C F C C F G 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 G
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 G C
And the prairie dogs are sneezin' as if they had "the Grip"
G Am F C
Where the coyotes come a-howlin' round the ranches after dark
G Am F G
And the blue-birds are singin' to the lovely "medder lark"
G Am F C
Where the big horns are grazin' and the lonely plovers call
G Am F G 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 G
The ladies "kinder scatterin'" had gathered in for miles
C F C
The room was togged out gorgeous with mistletoe and shawls
C F G C
And candles flickered frescoes around the airy walls
G Am F C
The "wimmin folks" looked lovely, the boys looked kinder treed
G Am F G
Till their leader commenced yellin': "Hey, fellers, let's stampede"
G Am F C
The music started sighin' and a-wailin' through the hall
G Am F G 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 G
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 G C
He had the reputation that comes when "fellers shoots"
Am Em
His voice was like the bugle upon the mountain's height
Am F G
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
G Am F C
Saloot yer lovely critters; now swing an' let 'em go
G Am F G
Climb the grape vine round 'em, all hands do-ce-do!
G Am F C
And Mavericks, jine the round-up, jest skip her waterfall"
G Am F G 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 G
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 G C
Just give me a fronteer breakdown, backed up by Wild Bill
G Am F C
McAllister ain't nowhere! when Windy leads the show
G Am F G
I've seen 'em both in harness, an' so I sorter know
G Am F C
Oh, Bill, I sha'n't forget yer, and I'll oftentimes recall
G Am F G C
That lively-gaited sworray, "The Cowboys' Christmas Ball"
G Am F C
Oh, Bill, I sha'n't forget yer, and I'll oftentimes recall
G Am F G C
That lively-gaited sworray, "The Cowboys' Christmas Ball"
*Outro: G-
