Where Old Cowboys Go to Die

(Verse)
He sat staring out the window where he sits every day
I took him eggs and bacon, with black coffee on a tray
He ran a pale-but-leathered hand through thinning silver hair
I had a little time that day, so I pulled up a chair

(Chorus)
He said, son I was a cowboy when I was in my prime
I was known to dance with all the ladies, once upon a time
But they don’t come around this place, son I’ll tell you why
They don’t want to see where old cowboys go to die

(Verse)
I should have died a hundred times back in my younger days
Like the time I near got struck by lightning bringing in some strays
Or the time my best horse fell on me - we ‘us roping this wild steer
Don’t know why the Good Lord spared me just to end up here

(Chorus)
Oh, the young cowhands looked up to me when I was in my prime
I could ride and rope with the best among ‘em once upon a time
But they don’t come around to see me, son I’ll tell you why
They don’t want to see where old cowboys go to die

(Bridge)
One day soon, it won’t be long, I’ll cross a Great Divide
And I’ll be back in the saddle once I reach the other side
I’ll do some celebrating with my old compadres there!
In the meantime, I’m stuck here in this wheelchair

(Chorus)
Where I sit and think about the days when I was in my prime
How I cut a swath among the ladies, once upon a time!
But they don’t come around here none, son I’ll tell you why
They don’t want to see where old cowboys go to die

(Tag)
No they don’t want to see where old cowboys go to die
Whoopy ti-aye-ya, whoopy ti-yi-yi
They don’t want to see where old cowboys go to die

Copyright, 2025, Joel Alden White and Kelly Gazzaway