American cowboys had their work cut out for them in summer. Good weather was a great time to move herds, fattened in spring, to their destinations. They would travel by rail to states across the country.
On those cattle drives, when ranch hands were responsible for moving large herds of semi-wild longhorns from Texas to the rail lines in Kansas, it is estimated that around 10 million head of cattle were herded north to the rail stations. The average trail drive contained maybe 2,000 to 5,000 head of cattle.
There were also cattle drives from Kansas to Wyoming, from the Dakotas to Utah, and etc.
Stampedes were a constant threat, especially at night. To soothe and calm the herd, cowboys would sing songs. It was believed that if the animals could hear a familiar voice, they would less likely be spooked.
They also sang to lift their own spirits. These songs many of us are at least somewhat familiar with. These traditional folk songs include Git Along Little Dogies, popularized by TV cowboy Roy Roger (remember his horse Trigger?) and more recently Woodie Guthrie.
Happy Rovin' Cowboy
Here is an example of a song that became the theme song for noted contry singer Hank Williams, Sr.:
Happy Rovin’ Cowboy
Hear my song as I ride along
I'm a Happy Rovin' Cowboy
Herdin' the dark clouds out of the sky
Keepin' the heavens blue
No where to go
nothing to do
I'm a happy rovin' cowboy
Let me ride that long trail down to the end
Where the skies are always blue
I aint got a
dime; I'm just spendin' my time
I'm a Happy Rovin' Cowboy
Let me sing my song till they call me home
To the land beyond the blue
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