The Trail Tip Song Songtext
von Riders in the Sky

When I was just a greenhorn buckaroo of twenty-two
Life′s rodeo had throwed me I was hung up and confused
My life just sort of grinded to a stop
So I went down to the barn to see my Pop
He pushed his dusty cowboy hat back on his greyin' head
Said son I ain′t learned much from this old cowboy life I've led
Course there are some trail tips you might recall
To get you through this vexing vale of tears without a fall

Always drink upstream from the herd
Never look straight up at a bird
Man when you get bucked off get back on
And son don't squat with your spurs on


Well you know how the kid is he don′t take no one′s advice
I had to drink downstream myself before I saw the light
True wisdom takes some time to understand
And it was only this mornin' at the crack of dawn
When I pulled my britches and my boots on
And I strapped on my brand new silver shiny spurs
With the hand engraved portrait of John Wayne
And the two and a quarter inch razor point rowel
And I stumbled over to the campfire for my mornin′ coffee
Squatted down to watch the sun come up and I suddenly realized
I could still learn something from my dear departed Dad

Always drink upstream from the herd
Never look straight up at a bird
When you get bucked off get back on
And don't squat with your spurs on

Everybody′s gotta squat sometime
Smart ones take their spurs off first
Hey partner please pass the salve