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FOLK COLLECTION 11: The Skaggs Foundation Cowboy Poetry Collection

Date of Items: 1890-present
Register Prepared by: Randy Williams and Susan Gross, April 2004
Register Updated by: Randy Williams, 23 December 2009
Excel database transfered to MYSQL and uploaded (replacing PHP data): Colin Jackson, Fall 2010
MYSQL database updated: Randy Williams, January 2012
Linear Feet:20

Historical Note & Provenance

Folk Coll 11 is Utah State University's cowboy poetry collection. The collection, originally created by a generation donation by the L. J. and Mary Skaggs Foundation, includes books gathered during a fieldwork project in the early 1980s to document cowboy poetry in the U.S. west (see Folk Coll 11f). From this important fieldwork project came the impetus for the first Cowboy Poetry Gathering held in January 1985 in Elko, Nevada. Since that time, each January, the Fife Folklore Archives staff take the collection and Access database (that details each book, poem, author, first line and key words), to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering for offsite use. Through University purchases and generation donations from poets and collectors, this collection continues to grow.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of 20 linear feet of books on cowboy poetry, including press and self published works. The collection can be accessed through USU Libraries online catalog.


As well, poem titles and keywords found in each book in the collection are included in the database below. To use, type in the search term. Tip: Try and use an uncommon word from the poem to ensure less "hits." For instance, if you enter "boots" you will get many hits; but if you enter "bones" you will most liley get fewer "hits" or poems and find the item you seek faster. To return to the search page, click "home" at the bottom of the page.

Search:

Poetry table.

First Previous Next Last
IDBook TitleComposerIndexPagesAuthorPoem TitleFirst LinesKeywords
22737 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 70 E.J. Kirchoff Why the Horse We're there in Wilbur's stable Gabbin' like us fellers do. Old Wilbur said, "This story That I'm gonna tell is true. "They prob'ly will deny it. But I only tell the truth.
22738 Along the Chisholm Trail and Other Poems FC 11 R-44 104 George Rhoades Move On Do what you have to do, And move on! No matter what misfortunes befall you, See what needs to be done, Don't wallow in things that are gone.
22739 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 74 E.J. Kirchoff Chinook It sure seems good, old pony, After weeks and weeks of snow To feel with coat unbuttoned A warm chinook wind blow. Already snow has melted So there's ridges showin' bare.
22740 Along the Chisholm Trail and Other Poems FC 11 R-44 105 George Rhoades My Cat My cat naps on the porch, Doesn't need sleepin' pills, Not worried about ambition, Failure, goals or utility bills.
22741 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 75 E.J. Kirchoff Dust Storm The rays of the sun are growing dim In a sky of orange hue. Darkness builds like the shades of night Though the clock says only two. Across the way a notch in the hilss Is known as the Sumac Pass
22742 Along the Chisholm Trail and Other Poems FC 11 R-44 106 George Rhoades Old Ben If Ben Franklin returned today, He'd be amazed at the way Technology has changed the world And all manner of advanced unfurled.
22743 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 77 E.J. Kirchoff On the Trail There's a million stars In a summer sky Where a big old moon Goes sailing by To smile down On this world below And paint the sage With a silver glow.
22744 Along the Chisholm Trail and Other Poems FC 11 R-44 107 George Rhoades On Death Death rides a pale horse, Carries a scythe sharp and long, Sometimes a blessing, Sometimes a sad, mournful song.
22745 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 78 E.J. Kirchoff How the Dandelion Came We was settin' 'round the fire Havin' et our evenin' chow. We could hear a kiote yappin' and the bawlin' of a cow. The cook, he yodeled loudly As he scoured pot and pan.
22746 Along the Chisholm Trail and Other Poems FC 11 R-44 108 George Rhoades Out Between The Beaver Creeks I took a drive out through The country where I was raised, Past the old home place all covered Now in brush, shrub, and trees.
22747 Along the Chisholm Trail and Other Poems FC 11 R-44 110 George Rhoades Rain Where've you been? You ain't been here Since I don't know when-- Pastures all sere.
22748 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 82 E.J. Kirchoff Easier Said Than Done We took the truck and trailer For a cow, and calf as well, The boss man said he's wantin' Us to bring in so's to sell. We hunted all that pasture For a cow he had in mind
22749 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 85 E.J. Kirchoff The Sun is Low The sun hangs low in a winter sky. The evening air is chill. The moon will be just a sliver of ice When it climbs above the hill. The valley is white in a blanket of snow. The cotton wood trees are bare.
22750 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 87 E.J. Kirchoff Summer Storm The air is still and oppresively quiet. The lake top smooth as glass. A rumble of thunder as ominous clouds Roll black above the pass.
22751 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 88 E.J. Kirchoff A Piciunous Mule The talk in Wilbur's stable Was of critters that was smart. And some of them there stories Suer would touch a feller's heart. Old Deacon says, "A sheep dog's Smart as anything around.
22752 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 92 E.J. Kirchoff No Easy Buck When I was young I sort had The notion for awhile That naything with ahir I'd ride and set up there with style. 'Course that was way back yonder now A lot a years ago.
22753 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 94 E.J. Kirchoff Thrills I've seen a lot of livin' Down along the trail of life With moments that were happy. And I've ha my share of strife. I've done thing I've been proud of. Some I'd just as soon forget.
22754 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 97 E.J. Kirchoff Positive We're there in Wilbur's stable Gabbin' some of this and that. The price of beef and politics And governmental fat. We touched on timber harvest And kioties killin' sheep.
22755 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 98 E.J. Kirchoff The Change With Time When a feller is young The time moves slow. But it picks up speed As you older grow. As a kid you're anxious To see the day When you're drawing down A gounup's pay
22756 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 100 E.J. Kirchoff Joe and His Two Buffalo There has been some queer things happen 'Way out here in our old west. But the one I'm 'bout to tell ya Seems to me is of the best. Way up the river Yellerstone There lives a man named Joe.
22757 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 103 E.J. Kirchoff The Ghost Now I recall away back when I wasn't very old On Halloween the world was filled With spooks and goblins bold. And from the stories that I'd heard, Some sure were scary, too,
22758 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 105 E.J. Kirchoff Close Call We're there in Wilbur's stable Gabbin' some like fellers will. Old Smokey Jones and Deacon, Latigo and Joe and Bill. "The other day," Old Smokey said, "I'm ridin' down the draw.
22759 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 108 E.J. Kirchoff A Dream Realized We're there in Wilbur's stable Where us fellers gab a lot. It's cool there in the breezeway When the summer sun is hot. We've covered some the weather. And the price of beef as well.
22760 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 110 E.J. Kirchoff More Time One day when I come by Old Bill Was settin' in the shade. I said, "The way you're loafin' I Would guess you've 'her made. "The way you always claim to have A million things to do,
22761 Hoofprints Through the Sage FC 11 K- 27 112 E.J. Kirchoff Off to School Today big, yellow busses Mostly haul the kids to school. Wher I grew up kids walked or Rode a donkey or amule. I've even go