Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BUNK-HOUSE ORCHESTRA, by CHARLES BADGER CLARK JR. Poet's Biography First Line: Wrangle up your mouth-harps, drag your banjo out Last Line: "when we have an hour of firelight set to ""turkey in the straw." Alternate Author Name(s): Clark, Badger Subject(s): Cowboys; Ranch Life; West (u.s.); Southwest; Pacific States | ||||||||
Wrangle up your mouth-harps, drag your banjo out, Tune your old guitarra till she twangs right stout, For the snow is on the mountains and the wind is on the plain, But we'll cut the chimney's moanin' with a livelier refrain. Shinin' 'dobe fireplace, shadows on the wall (See old Shorty's friv'lous toes a-twitchin' at the call:) It's the best grand high that there is within the law When seven jolly punchers tackle "Turkey in the Straw." Freezy was the day's ride, lengthy was the trail, Ev'ry steer was haughty with a high arched tail, But we held 'em and we shoved 'em, for our longin' hearts were tried By a yearnin' for tobacker and our dear fireside. Swing'er into stop-time, don't you let'er droop! (You're about as tuneful as a coyote with the croup!) Ay, the cold wind bit when we drifted down the draw, But we drifted on to comfort and to "Turkey in the Straw." Snarlin' when the rain whipped, cussin' at the ford Ev'ry mile of twenty was a long discord, But the night is brimmin' music and its glory is complete When the eye is razzle-dazzled by the flip o' Shorty's feet! Snappy for the dance, now, till she up and shoots! (Don't he beat the devil's wife for jiggin' in 'is boots?) Shorty got throwed high and we laughed till he was raw, But tonight he's done forgot it prancin' "Turkey in the Straw." Rainy dark or firelight, bacon rind or pie, Livin' is a luxury that don't come high; Oh, be happy and onruly while our years and luck allow, For we all must die or marry less than forty years from now! Lively on the last turn! lope 'er to the death! (Reddy's soul is willin' but he's gettin' short o' breath.) Ay, the storm wind sings and old trouble sucks his paw When we have an hour of firelight set to "Turkey in the Straw." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WESTERN WAGONS by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET DRIVING WEST IN 1970 by ROBERT BLY IN THE HELLGATE WIND by MADELINE DEFREES A PERIOD PORTRAIT OF SYMPATHY by EDWARD DORN ASSORTED COMPLIMENTS by EDWARD DORN AT THE COWBOY PANEL by EDWARD DORN A BORDER AFFAIR by CHARLES BADGER CLARK JR. A BAD HALF HOUR by CHARLES BADGER CLARK JR. A COWBOY'S PRAYER (WRITTEN FOR MOTHER) by CHARLES BADGER CLARK JR. |
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