Old Red

Old Red was one of the orneriest yet
I've seen at the big rodeo
He'd bite you and kick you and stomp out your life
Old Red had never been rode
Meaner than sin, wild as the wind that blew on the Montana plains
Old Red was one of the last of his breed
And wasn't about to be tamed

From Idaho, a young cowboy came to ride in the big rodeo
The young cowboy's name was Billy McClain
And Billy had never been throwed
The greatest desire filled the young Billy's heart
To ride this old outlaw called Red
He drew him one day, and I heard Billy say
"I'll ride him or drop over dead"

Old Red was wicked down there in the chute
He was kickin' and stompin' about
Billy dropped into the saddle with ease
And said, "Turn him loose, let us out"

Old Red came out with his head on the ground
His back hooves were touching his nose
Tryin' to get rid of the man of his back
But the man went wherever he'd go

Billy was rakin' Old Red with his spurs
From his tail to the tip of his chin
He was doin' right well
But Billy could tell this outlaw would never give in

Old Red was buckin' straight for the fence
Suddenly stopping and then
He rared on his hind legs then fell on his back
Taking poor Billy with him

There was a hush in the crowd for they knew
This would be Billy's last ride
The saddle horn crushed Billy's chest as they fell
And under Old Red, Billy died

Old Red lay still, no more would he move
The cowboys that seen it could tell
In tryin' to throw Billy off of his back
Old Red broke his neck when he fell

Out in the West is the place where they rest
This cowboy that never was throwed
And one foot away resting there neath the clay
Is the outlaw that never was rode