One Top Hand

We gathered Texas strays in '67
an' drove'em up to the rails in Abilene
Delivery was to be in late September
so we rounded up and headed out in late July
On the banks of the Brazos, we came upon a herd
that was settled down with the touch of just one man
with touch of one Top Hand

He was livin in a shack that barely offered shelter
He was a pretty sad sight but his eyes still shone bright
He said boys it's good to see ya, here's the coffee
I'm a dyin' man, an' you showed up just in time.
He said with a smile, boys will ya stay a while
I'm all alone an' these cattle need a home
But before I go....

(Chorus) I'd like one last ride along the Brazos
and one last chase through the breaks
I've left you a trail that you can follow
You can take my herd when ya lay me down to rest

We stayed about a week and the old boy he was fadin',
He talked and he talked, we heard tales untold
Every soul it seems has got a story,
an' with this ol' poke we rode to the river and back
He said with a smile, boys will ya stay a while
I'm all alone and these cattle need a home,
But before I go...

Chorus
Now we've got his herd an laid him down... to rest.