Ballad of Big

Big Jim Cooley commanded respect

Whatever he wanted, he could get

The badge on his waistcoat shone in the sun

It ain't no lie that Big Jim was feared by everyone

In the saloon one evening, Big took a bet

With a rancher whose name I forget

He wanted a herd taken over the plain

And he called Jim "yellow", he'll never do that again

He got mad

He threw his badge on the floor and walked out

He's gonna give it a try, he left no doubt

"Must be mad, he must be mad!"

The people wished him well and good luck

"Well I don't need it!" he laughed

Got on his horse and rode away

Out on the trail, Jim and his crew of five

Were trying their best to keep the cattle alive

The weather was hard, but so were the men

Though I don't think even Big will try this trip again

His horses were edgy, sensing trouble ahead

But the trouble didn't start till the men were in bed

A-whooping and a-hollering and flashing their knives

Big and his men were jumped by an all-star Indian tribe

He was scared, Big Jim was scared

Alive, they called him lucky, but not today

'Cause he died like all good cowboys

With his boots on next to his men

Big Jim, he still won't lie down

For him, the bet is still on

Some say he rides there, cursing still

Some say they've seen him