Wild Boy My parents reared me tenderly They had no child but me But I was bent on rambling With them I couldn't agree I started up the cow trail To see some Western land. I met up with a wild bunch. And likewise killed a man. I stole a many a fat horse, Stole him from the poor, And over the Rocky Mountains I made his iron hoofs roar. One morning, one morning, I think it was in May, The sheriff rode up to me, Says, "I'm a-looking for you today." He took me down to the new jail, And there I walked in. My parents all deserted me, As likewise did my kin. Except one old rich uncle, Far out in the West; A-hearing of my trouble, They say he could not rest. He went my bail at the Ute jail, He paid my debts by scores. It's once I've been a wild boy, I won't be any more. There's Agnes and there's Mabel, There's Mary likewise; My deeds and desperation Brought tears into their eyes. I've stolen many a fat horse, Stolen him from the poor. It's once I've been a wild boy, I won't be any more. DT #842 Laws B20 From Texas and Southwestern Lore, 1927 DS, SOF apr97
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!