Stampede

by Johnny Cash

From the album: Sings the Ballads of the True West

Track 24 of 26 on Sings the Ballads of the True West (1965).

Duration: 2:59

Sings the Ballads of the True West cover art

Lyrics for Stampede

There's just one word I don't want to hear When I heard it called it cost a friend quite dear I can hear it echo as though it were now When I was a chasin' of the long horned cow Stampede, they're comin' up to draw Stampede, three thousand herd or more Here they come a smokin' fire boys, you better earn your hire Stampede, and the hell to score Now, Frankie was my partner, he rode point upon my heart We drank and fought and partnered back to back at troubles start We heard the call on evening in the thunder and the black When the lightnin' hit the leaders and the devil led the pack Stampede, they're comin' up to draw Stampede, three thousand herd or more Here they come a smokin' fire boys, you better earn your hire Stampede, and the hell to score Our horses they were handy for we had just rode in We went from drinkin' coffee to thinkin' of our sins There wasn't time for prayin', there was hardly time to cuss It was a smokin' roarin' rattle and the leaders were on us Stampede, they're comin' up to draw Stampede, three thousand herd or more Here they come a smokin' fire boys, you better earn your hire Stampede, and the hell to score Old Frank's foot it missed the stirrup and his hand it missed the horn And as the cattle crossed him from his body life was torn I was mounted and a ridin' when I heard his final yell Said hey Johnny head the wild bunch and do the ladies well Stampede, they're comin' up to draw Stampede, three thousand herd or more Here they come a smokin' fire boys, you better earn your hire Stampede, and the hell to score Now I ain't got no partner cause old Frank's done dead and gone But just so he'd be remembered Peter put him in this song Some admire headstones but I think he'd like this best He weren't fancy in his livin' so he ain't fancy in his rest Stampede, they're comin' up to draw Stampede, three thousand herd or more Here they come a smokin' fire boys you better earn your hire Stampede, and the hell to score

Listen On

More from Sings the Ballads of the True West

  1. Hiawatha's Vision
  2. The Road to Kaintuck
  3. The Shifting, Whispering Sands, Pt. I
  4. Narration 1
  5. The Ballad of Boot Hill
  6. I Ride an Old Paint
  7. Narration 2
  8. Hardin Wouldn't Run
  9. Narration 3
  10. Mister Garfield
  11. The Streets of Laredo
  12. Narration 4
  13. Johnny Reb
  14. A Letter from Home
  15. Bury Me Not On the Lone Prairie
  16. Mean as Hell
  17. Sam Hall
  18. 25 Minutes to Go
  19. The Blizzard
  20. Narration 5
  21. Sweet Betsy from Pike
  22. Green Grow the Lilacs
  23. Narration 6
  24. Stampede
  25. The Shifting, Whispering Sands, Pt. II
  26. Reflections