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