Old Paint
I was visiting Gardenia's blog, and was trying to think of songs about leaving Wyoming. Goodbye Old Paint came to mind and I discovered soon enough that this old cowboy tune has many, many different lyrics. Then I stumbled across this interesting article about the origins of the song.
This led me to a website about black cowboys. There are some fabulous stories here, about people like Bose Ikard, who rode with Charles Goodnight. Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving were the men the famous cattle trail, the Goodnight Loving Trail was named after. Utah Phillips wrote a lovely song called the Goodnight Loving Trail, about a cowboy cook, too old to wrangle or ride on the swing, you beat the triangle and curse everything, and if dirt was the kingdom then you'd be the king.....our old woman's lonesome tonight.
You can learn all about the history of the Goodnight Loving Trail here.
And, you can hear Utah Phillips telling his delightful story, Moose Turd Pie, here
5 comments:
I remember reading that the majority of cowboys were Chinese and African American. I'll try to locate the source for you.
I'm very interested in reading about that, LM.
I learn something new everyday here at your blog, Mr. Anchovy. Thank you!
The source is the Avon Book of Cowboy Culture probably long out of print. (a friend of mine owned a copy) She corrected me in my statement about Chinese cowboys, they were a big presence on the trail rides but worked as the 'service industry' for cowboys.
The other interesting tidbit is that, in spite of what you remember from Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles, any flatulence around the camp fire was absolutely forbidden.
Fascinating, Mr. Anchovy. Thanks for digging! I'm also interested in the Chinese of the west - was digging around a spot in Wyoming and found an old Chinese medicine bottle - I roamed the old cemeteries too, but didn't get to the oldest one in Carbon County - I haven't found any Chinese buried, unless they were buried under different names........
I can't even think of being a cowboy on those cold freezing prairies - - - I recently acquired one of the original handpainted prints of the "famous" Desert Dust photos - I'm having to ship it back here- when it gets here I'll post it - you'd like it
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