1949 My Dad and Grandfather Fort Owen Ranch, Stevensville, Montana |
We weren't really farmers, per se. But my parents grew up on a ranch, and my dad worked closely with farmers in his profession as District Soil Conservationist. My dad loved to go for car rides to 'wherever'. We'd just get in the car and go. No real destination in mind. My dad also loved to sing. Sometimes we'd listen to the 8-track tape (now I'm making myself sound old) and sometimes, he would just sing. And he would encourage us to sing along.
So, this week I'll be taking you down my own memory lane talking about some of the Cowboy songs my dad taught me to learn and love.
"The Old Chisholm Trail" is a cowboy song that dates back to the 1870s, when it was among the most popular songs sung by cowboys during that era. Based on an English lyrical song that dates back to 1640, "The Old Chisholm Trail" was modified by the cowboy idiom. It has been recorded by the world's most popular Western singers, including Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Bing Crosby, Randy Travis, and Michael Martin Murphey. Yodeling Slim Clark recorded a yodeling version in 1957 for his album Cowboy Songs. The song was partially covered in the now-defunct Disneyland attraction "America Sings".
In 2001, author Rosalyn Shanzer wrote a children's book based on the song. It follows the adventures of some cowboys and their cattle as they travel the Old Chisholm Trail from Texas to Kansas.
Slim Clark's version
http://youtu.be/IaRkR0X25Ow
Many people think the song's lyrics are doggies (i.e. puppies) but a dogie actually refers to a motherless calf.
http://youtu.be/Q2cFji4CmHE
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