The Classics
Whether you're new to cowboy poetry or a lifelong fan, these poems by the likes of Badger Clark, Frank Desprez, S. Omar Barker, Curley Fletcher, Gail Gardner, and Bruce Kiskaddon, are the bedrock of the cowboy poetry tradition. Every week, we search our archive for beautiful recitations of these classics to share.
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Windy Bill
Katie recites the lyrics from a cowboy song that some say started out as a poem. It was collected by N. Howard "Jack" Thorp from John Collier, Cornudas Mountain, New Mexico in July 1899. Katie McCall-Owen performs "Windy Bill" during the "Highlights of the Open Mic" show at the 39th National Cowb...
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That Little Blue Roan
Dick shares a classic horse poem. Dick Gibford recites "That Little Blue Roan" by Bruce Kiskaddon during the "Horse Tails" show at the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Dick Gibford
New Cuyama, CA
Dick Gibford was raised on a small cow outfit on the central coast of Califo... -
Sierry Petes
Waddie does a half-true classic every cowboy knows about tying knots in the devil’s tail. Waddie Mitchell recites "Sierry Petes" by Gail I. Gardner during "The Western Trail" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was... -
The Strawberry Roan
J.B. brings his timbre to this famous cowboy poem about misjudging the spirit of an outlaw. J.B. Allen recites "The Strawberry Roan" by Curley Fletcher during the "Curley Fletcher in Poetry and Song" show at the 10th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
This project is supported in part by the Nat...
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When They've Finished Shipping Cattle in the Fall
Waddie eases rhythmically into this reverie on memories brought on by autumn's turn. Waddie Mitchell recites "When They've Finished Shipping Cattle in the Fall" by Bruce Kiskaddon during the "From the Front Porch" show at the 30th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Waddie Mitche... -
The Bronco Twister's Prayer
Jay gets into some classic vernacular while reciting his dad’s favorite classic cowboy poem. Jay Snider recites "The Bronco Twister's Prayer" by Bruce Kiskaddon during the "Cowboy Classics" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Jay Snider
Cyril, OK
Jay Snider was b... -
Lasca
Joel delivers this devastating heartbreak of a poem with dash and danger and life and love. Joel Nelson recites "Lasca" by Frank Desprez during the "Cowboy Classics" show at the 10th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. On t...
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The Moonshine Steer
Gail schools us with a moral lesson about moonshine and bovines. Gail Steiger recites "The Moonshine Steer" by his grandfather Gail I. Gardner during the "After a Night on a Cowboy Town" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Gail Steiger
Prescott, AZ
Gail Steiger... -
The Bronco Twister's Prayer
Yula Sue shares a mighty classic with a smooth voice and a shy smile in this vintage video. Yula Sue Hunting recites "The Bronco Twister's Prayer" by Bruce Kiskaddon during the "Classic Cowboy Recitations" session at the first Cowboy Poetry Gathering (in 2000, the event was renamed the National C...
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The Old Night Hawk
Waddie relates the musings of a man charged with the string beneath the morning star. Waddie Mitchell recites "The Old Night Hawk" by Bruce Kiskaddon during "The Western Trail" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell w... -
The Walking Man
Waddie finds the mood in Knibbs' "The Walking Man" with this compelling recitation. Waddie Mitchell recites "The Walking Man" during the "Anchoring the Tradition" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was immersed i... -
Bronco Twister's Prayer
Waddie and Lloyd bring a graceful interpretation to this Kiskaddon classic. Waddie Mitchell and Lloyd Wright perform "The Bronco Twister's Prayer" by Bruce Kiskaddon during the "Cowboy Stew" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
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The Cowboy's Dream
Waddie will sleep easier knowing you’ve heard a Kiskaddon poem today. Waddie Mitchell recites "The Cowboy's Dream" by Bruce Kiskaddon during "That Seventies Show" at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridges, NV
Waddie Mitchell was immersed in the ... -
The Cremation of Sam McGee
Waddie recounts the tale of the strangest sight the Northern Lights ever did see. Waddie Mitchell recites "The Cremation of Sam McGee" written by Robert W. Service during the "Anchoring the Tradition" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Waddie Mitchell
Twin Bridge... -
Horses Versus Hosses
Randy passes along some cowboy vocabulary as he does this classic by a real poetic S.O.B. Randy Rieman recites "Horses Versus Hosses" by S. Omar Barker during the "Cowboy Classics" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
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Randy Rieman
Cascade, MT
Randy Rieman has had...
