Cowboy’s Lullaby
cowboys (are) playin’ soda cans
horses (are) playin’ chess
cattle (are) drinkin’ coffee
and smokin’ cigarettes
the mexican bandits
are late for the show
afraid of manana
they don’t want to go
(and the)/those carnival stars
swing from side to side
(while the moon is)/(with the moon) lookin’ on
like she’s got nothing to hide
the sheriff is lonely
sleeping in his cell
he can’t find his outaw
though he wishes him well
(and) card games of solitaire
(are) floating through the night
no one can wield/win them
except the morning light
and the squaws and the braves
try/tryin’ to learn japanese
(while the chieftians are)/(with the chieftians) playing marbles
they’re on their hands and knees
the bison are laughin’
to/at a standup routine
their mothers (all) look shocked
but/though the jokes are (all) clean
a norwegian con-man
finds a mexican whore
and/while the children find jesus
at the chapel next door
and spacemen disguised as cactus
(are standing)/(stand) in a row
trying to hold their breath
and withhold what they know.