On a cold Texas mornin',
On a horse headed nowhere
I came up on a wrangler
He was weary, worn, and old..
He asked if I had matches,
To light some rolled tobacco
We stopped and built a fire
It warmed us from the cold..

He said, ya know I been a wrangler
Some sixty years, this August
I"ve kicked sand thru the Southwest
Workin' every ranch and spread..
Must'a poked ten million cattle..
My old rear end's like a saddle,
I been trampled on in stampedes,
It's a wonder I ain't dead..

He sipped a battered tin of coffee
And puffed on rolled tobacco,
Dusted his ten gallon hat,
Against a lean thigh, twice..
Poked a stick into the fire
The sparks and flames danced higher,
He said I see you're still a young hand,
Let me give you old advice..

Ya' gotta' know how to ride 'em
Know how to rope 'em
Know how to hold on to
The saddle horns of life..
Ya' gotta' drink strong coffee
Take it slow when lovin' women,
But just leave 'em like ya' found 'em
Don't make one your wife..

'Cause every wrangler knows
Ride's another word for lonesome
You're married to a prairie day
Your home is where ya' sleep..
Your heart may be the loser,
But it can't be a chooser,
When you take on the cowboy pace
It's one ya' gotta' keep..

He stood tall by the fire,
His shadow flickered higher,
Stubbed out the cigarette,
Then said, I'll tell ya' plain.."
In all my years a' wranglin'
I've looped a lotta' longhorns,
And rounded up wild mavericks, too
But none bad as McCain...

Ya' gotta' know how to ride 'em
Know how to rope 'em
know how to hold on to
The saddle horns of life,
Ya' gotta' brew strong coffee
Take it slow when lovin' women
Always leave 'em like you found 'em
Don't make one your wife..

Ya' gotta know how to ride 'em
Know how to rope 'em
Know how to hold on to
The saddle horns of life
Ya' gotta' drink strong whiskey,
Take it slow when lovin' women
Always leave 'em like you found 'em
Don't make none your wife..

Don't make none your wife..