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 LastID | Book Title | Composer | Index | Pages | Author | Poem Title | First Lines | Keywords |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |