Key: D
Introduction:
Eb D
D G
1)Old Red was one of the orn'-ry-est yet
D A7
I'd seen at the big rode-o
D G
He'd bite you and kick you and stomp out your life
A7 D
Old Red had never been rode.
D G
2)Meaner than sin - wild as the wind
D A7
That blew on the Montana plains
D
Old Red was one of the last of his breed
A7 D
Was-n't about to be tamed.
G D
3)From Idaho a young cowboy came
A7 D
To ride in the big rode- o
G D
The young cowboy's name was Billy McLane
A7 D
And Billy had never been throwed.
D G D
4)The greatest de-sire filled young Billy's heart
A7 D
To ride this old outlaw called Red
G D
He drew him one day and I heard Billy say
A7 D
"I'll ride 'im or drop over dead."
D G D
5)Old Red was wicked down there in the chute
A7 D
He was kickin' and stompin' a-bout
G D
Billy climbed into the saddle with ease
A7 D
Then yelled: "Turn 'im loose - let us out."
G D
6)Old Red came out with his head on the ground
A7 D
His back hooves were touchin' his nose
G D
Tryin' to get rid of the man on his back
A7 D
But the man went wherever he'd go.
D G D
7)Billy was rakin' Old Red with his spurs
A7 D
From his tail - to the tip of his chin
G D
He was doin' right well - but Billy could tell
A7 D
This outlaw would never give in.
D G D
8)Old Red was runnin' straight for the fence
A7 D
Suddenly stoppin' and then
G D
He reared on his hind legs and fell on his back
A7 D
Takin' poor Billy with him.
G D
9)There was a hush in the crowd and they knew
A7 D
This would be Billy's last ride
G D
The saddle horn crushed Billy's chest when they fell
A7 D
And under Old Red Billy died.
D G D
10)Old Red lay still - no more would he move
A7 D
The cowboys that seen it - could tell
G D
In tryin' to throw Billy off of his back
A7 D
Old Red broke his neck when he fell.
G D
11)Out in the west - is the place where they rest
A7 D
This cowboy that never was throwed
G D
And one foot away - resting there 'neath the clay
A7 D
Is the - outlaw -- that -- never --- was --- rode.