John Phillips

Me and my uncle come riding down
South Colorado, West Texas bound.
We stopped over in Santa Fe
That being the point 'bout half way
And besides it was the hottest part of the day.

I hitched our ponies into a stall
Went to the bar, boys, bought drinks for all.
Three days in the saddle, you know my body hurt
It being summer, I took off my shirt
And I tried to wash off some of the dust and dirt.

West Texas cowboys, all over town
With gold and silver, they's loaded down
Just in from roundup, ain't that a shame
'Cause my uncle, he starts a friendly game
And it's high-low jacks and the winner take the game.

Right from the beginning, Uncle starts to win.
Them Texas cowboys, they're as mad as sin.
Some say he's cheating, but oh that just can't be
'Cause my uncle, he's as honest as me
And I'm as honest as a Denver man can be

One of them cowboys, he starts to draw
I grabbed a bottle, slapped him on the jaw.
I shot another, hot damn he won't grow old
In the confusion Uncle grabbed the gold
And we high-tailed it down to Mexico

God bless them cowboys. God bless their gold.
God bless Uncle, rest his soul.
He taught me well, boys, taught me all I know.
He taught me so well, that I grabbed that gold.
And I left him dying there by the side of the road.

Repeat First Verse

And me, I'm just about as honest as a Denver man can be.