Cowboy Poetry: Bruce Brill
The Ballad of Highpockets Bob Johnson
Chorus: [every second verse]
If the shoe were on the other foot, some try their best to shake it.
They’re real quick to dish it out; but, don’t know how to take
it.
It’s been said what’s good for the goose should be as good for
the gander,
But when High Pockets Bob fooled Cocklebur Bill, Heavy Handsome had to cool
Bill's dander.
1. High Pockets Bob and other cowboys
Did dreary work that had to be done:
Branding & making hay
Mending fence, out all day,
So they would look for some fun.
2. Rodeos, drinking, dancing, singing,
Laughing at Hollywood’s cowpokes,
Riding the rails & trails
Their tongue-in-cheek tall tales.
Best of all: practical jokes.
3. Loosen your buddy’s saddle cinch strap
Laugh as he falls & eats some dust
’twix saddle & mount’s fur
Just slip a cocklebur
Who in the world can you trust?
4. A big one-eyed bruiser loved this burr prank
This was how he’d get a thrill
He was half Indian
Given name, “William”.
So was called “Cocklebur Bill.”
5. Cocklebur Bill one break decided
Under a loft to take repose
Each time he’d close that eye
Straw would fall from the sky
Landing on Cocklebur’s nose.
6. From in the loft Bill heard Bob snickering
“You SOB,” all heard Bill shout
By Cowboy lore out there
This really was a dare
So they had to have it out.
7. Cocklebur in both ways a puncher
Bob knew his distance must be kept
'cause Bill’s reach was longer
& Bill’s punch was stronger
So Bob had to dodge and backstep.
8. Bob didn’t see the peg he tripped on.
Bill pulled Bob’s slicker o’er Bob's head
Bob now was blinded,
& his arms were binded.
Bill would pound Bob ’till he’s dead.
9. Just then the foreman, Heavy Handsome,
Said, “Okay, Bill, end of fight.”
Do you think Bill listened?
In that eye hate glistened
Kept up with all of his might.
10. Ol’ Heavy Handsome lumbered forward
Then he let his huge fist fly.
Then as now, might makes right
Put quick end to the fight
One punch to Bill’s one good eye.
Sequel:
11. High Pockets Bob, a few years later
Rode into a road fuddler’s hatch
After some chat & chow
Sang the road fuddler how
Cocklebur Bill met his match.
12. In the ballad of “Cockelbur Bill's Last Fight,”
Not much of Heavy Handsome said
Though it was a cute song
Got the main detail wrong:
Made Bob the winner instead.
You can contact Bruce at Bruceb@accentsoft.com.
Last update: May 22, 1997