Gallo del Cielo

Here are two versions of Tom Russell's Gallo del Cielo - one by the song's author and the other by Joe Ely.

For years the only version of this tune I knew was Ian Tyson's fantastic polka version. In the early 80's Tyson had released an amazing album of cowboy songs, called Old Corrals and Sagebrush. I was driving across Canada at the time, and it seemed everywhere in the west, I was hearing cuts from that record. I've since heard Mr. Russell perform Gallo del Cielo live at Hugh's Room in Toronto. Joe Ely also does a great job, and as a bonus has accordeon great Joel Guzman playing in his band. For those who don't know the song, it's the story of a guy who steals a fighting rooster with the plan of making enough money to buy back the land Pancho Villa stole from his father (long ago). Honest.