Old Digger

Old Digger was a mighty Hoss,
with muscles runnin' true.
He'd carry me all day and nite,
and still the next day too.


He loved to work the cattle,
then run all other steeds.
He was my pal, I miss him so,
as I think of his many deeds.


Old Digger and me, was like
a team, each not complete alone.
I'd just bet, he's up there waiting,
in some tall grass, Heavenly Home.


I remember how he got that name,
and how come he was mine.
And how I liked to brush him,
Til' his coat would gleam and shine.


I was there the day that he was born,
and helped his momma through.
I breathed my air into his nose,
to help him get some too.


I stood him up and rubbed him down,
talked him into life.
We started out as buddies, and
it lasted all his life.


He didn't like no other man,
to mess with him at all.
and even as a yearlin',
he could stand so straight and tall.


The other cowboys always said
they'd never seen the like
of how he'd follow me around,
and leave his mother's side.


But when I'd leave, on another hoss
my daily work to do,
he'd stand in the corral, and paw toe ground
'til he'd dug a trench or two.


Til' the boss said he would dock my pay
'til that "old digger" colt was mine,
but I had to lead him me
'til he got old enough to ride.


So, from that day, for ten long years,
we were together all the time.
And we enjoyed each other,
No hill we wouldn't climb.


Until one day in early May,
a day I can't forget,
we took off after a loco steer,
just to win a bet.


Old Digger he was winnin'
that steer would soon give up,
'cause he couldn't get away from us
no matter how he'd spin.


Then, Old Digger jumped a pile of brush
he didn't see that hole.
It broke his leg as we went tumblin',
Damn, a prairie dog hole.


I had to shoot the bestest friend
a cowboy ever had.
I also shot that loco steer,
'cause I was ravin' mad.


But, if hosses have a heaven,
I'll bet Old Digger's there,
A pawin' up a trench or two,
'til I find him, there, somewhere.


Mr. Perk