While I was out a ridin'

the grave yard shift midnight till dawn

The moon was bright as a readin' light

for a letter from an old friend back home

And he asked me



Why do you ride for your money

Why do you rope for short pay

You ain't a gettin' nowhere and you're losin' your share

You must have gone crazy out there



Tells me last night he run on to Jenny

She's married and has a good life

Boy you sure missed the track when you never come back

She's the perfect professional's wife

And she asked him



Why does he ride for his money

Why does he rope for short pay

He ain't a gettin' nowhere and he's losin' his share

Well he must've gone crazy out there



But they aint never seen the Northern Lights

They've never seen a hawk on the wing

They've never seen spring on the Great Divide

They've never heard ole camp cookie sing



Well I read up the last of my letter

Tore off the stamp for black Jim

Bill he rode up to relieve me

He just looked at my letter and grinned

He said you know I wonder



Why do they ride for their money

Why do they ride for short pay

They ain't a gettin' nowhere and they're loosin' their share

They all must be crazy back there



Cause They ain't never seen the Northern Lights

They've never seen a hawk on the wing

They've never seen spring hit the Great Divide

They've never heard ole camp cookie sing