The Farmer and the Cowman
At the box social, guests from all over the territory dance together, watched over carefully by Aunt Eller, who understands the need for everyone to get along. She stops the dancing to explain, “I won’t say I’m no better than anybody else, but I’ll be damned if I ain’t just as good!”
Carnes:
The farmer and the cowman should be friends,
Oh, the farmer and the cowman should be friends.
One man likes to push a plough,
The other likes to chase a cow,
But that’s no reason why they cain’t be friends.
Territory folks should stick together,
Territory folks should all be pals.
Cowboys, dance with farmers’ daughters,
Farmers, dance with the ranchers’ gals.
All:
Territory folks should stick together,
Territory folks should all be pals.
Cowboys, dance with farmers’ daughters,
Farmers, dance with the ranchers’ gals.
Carnes:
I’d like to say a word fer the farmer.
Aunt Eller:
Well, say it!
Carnes:
He come out west and made a lot of changes.
Will Parker:
He come out west and built a lot of fences.
Curly:
And built ’em right acrost our cattle ranges!
Carnes:
The farmer is a good and thrifty citizen.
No matter whut the cowman says or thinks.
You seldom see ’im drinkin’ in a bar room—
Curly:
Unless somebody else is buyin’ drinks!
Carnes:
But the farmer and the cowman should be friends,
Oh, the farmer and the cowman should be friends.
The cowman ropes a cow with ease,
The farmer steals her butter and cheese,
But that’s no reason why they cain’t be friends.
All:
Territory folks should stick together,
Territory folks should all be pals.
Cowboys, dance with farmers’ daughters!
Farmers, dance with the ranchers’ gals!
Aunt Eller:
I’d like to say a word for the cowboy.
The road he treads is difficult and stony.
He rides fer days on end,
With jist a pony fer a friend.
Ado Annie:
I shore am feelin’ sorry fer the pony!
Aunt Eller:
The farmer should be sociable with the cowboy.
If he rides by an’ asks fer food an’ water,
Don’t treat him like a louse,
Make him welcome in yer house.
Carnes:
But be shore that you lock up yer wife an’ daughter.
The farmer and the cowman should be friends.
A Few Men:
Oh, the farmer and the cowman should be friends.
All:
One man likes to push a plough,
The other likes to chase a cow,
But that’s no reason why they cain’t be friends.
Ike Skidmore:
And when this territory is a state,
An’ jines the Union jist like all the others,
The farmer and cowman and the merchant
Must all behave theirsel’s and act like brothers.
Aunt Eller:
I’d like to teach you all a little sayin’,
And learn the words by heart the way you should.
“I don’t say I’m no better than anybody else,
But I’ll be damned if I ain’t jist as good!”
All:
I don’t say I’m no better than anybody else,
But I’ll be damned if I ain’t jist as good!
Territory folks should stick together,
Territory folks should all be pals.
Cowboys, dance with farmers’ daughters!
Farmers, dance with the ranchers’ gals!
“The Farmer and the Cowman” (Rodgers/Hammerstein II)
© 1943, Copyright Renewed, Williamson Music Company (ASCAP) c/o Concord Music Publishing.
All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.