The Classics

The Classics

Whether you're new to cowboy poetry or a lifelong fan, these poems by the likes of Badger Clark, Frank Desprez, S. Omar Barker, Curley Fletcher, Gail Gardner, and Bruce Kiskaddon, are the bedrock of the cowboy poetry tradition. Every week, we search our archive for beautiful recitations of these classics to share.

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The Classics
  • The Walking Man

    Waddie finds the mood in Knibbs' "The Walking Man" with this compelling recitation. Waddie Mitchell recites "The Walking Man" during the "Anchoring the Tradition" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Waddie Mitchell
    Twin Bridges, NV
    Waddie Mitchell was immersed i...

  • Bronco Twister's Prayer

    Waddie and Lloyd bring a graceful interpretation to this Kiskaddon classic. Waddie Mitchell and Lloyd Wright perform "The Bronco Twister's Prayer" by Bruce Kiskaddon during the "Cowboy Stew" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTISTS

    Waddie Mitchell
    Twin Bridges, NV
    ...

  • Horses Versus Hosses

    Randy passes along some cowboy vocabulary as he does this classic by a real poetic S.O.B. Randy Rieman recites "Horses Versus Hosses" by S. Omar Barker during the "Cowboy Classics" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Randy Rieman
    Cascade, MT
    Randy Rieman has had...

  • The Moonshine Steer

    Gail schools us with a moral lesson about moonshine and bovines. Gail Steiger recites "The Moonshine Steer" by his grandfather Gail I. Gardner during the "After a Night on a Cowboy Town" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Gail Steiger
    Prescott, AZ
    Gail Steiger...

  • The Old Night Hawk

    Waddie relates the musings of a man charged with the string beneath the morning star. Waddie Mitchell recites "The Old Night Hawk" by Bruce Kiskaddon during "The Western Trail" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST
    Waddie Mitchell
    Twin Bridges, NV
    Waddie Mitchell w...

  • The Bronco Twister's Prayer

    Jay gets into some classic vernacular while reciting his dad’s favorite classic cowboy poem. Jay Snider recites "The Bronco Twister's Prayer" by Bruce Kiskaddon during the "Cowboy Classics" show at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST
    Jay Snider
    Cyril, OK
    Jay Snider was b...

  • The Cowboy's Dream

    Waddie will sleep easier knowing you’ve heard a Kiskaddon poem today. Waddie Mitchell recites "The Cowboy's Dream" by Bruce Kiskaddon during "That Seventies Show" at the 36th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST
    Waddie Mitchell
    Twin Bridges, NV
    Waddie Mitchell was immersed in the ...

  • The Cremation of Sam McGee

    Waddie recounts the tale of the strangest sight the Northern Lights ever did see. Waddie Mitchell recites "The Cremation of Sam McGee" written by Robert W. Service during the "Anchoring the Tradition" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST
    Waddie Mitchell
    Twin Bridge...

  • Lasca

    Joel delivers this devastating heartbreak of a poem with dash and danger and life and love. Joel Nelson recites "Lasca" by Frank Desprez during the "Cowboy Classics" show at the 10th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST
    Joel Nelson
    Alpine, TX
    Joel Nelson has been a cowboy since ag...

  • Sierry Petes

    Waddie does a half-true classic every cowboy knows about tying knots in the devil’s tail. Waddie Mitchell recites "Sierry Petes" by Gail I. Gardner during "The Western Trail" show at the 35th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST
    Waddie Mitchell
    Twin Bridges, NV
    Waddie Mitchell was...

  • The Strawberry Roan

    J.B. brings his timbre to this famous cowboy poem about misjudging the spirit of an outlaw. J.B. Allen recites "The Strawberry Roan" by Curley Fletcher during the "Curley Fletcher in Poetry and Song" show at the 10th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTISTS
    J.B. Allen
    Whiteface, TX
    J...

  • When They've Finished Shipping Cattle in the Fall

    Waddie eases rhythmically into this reverie on memories brought on by autumn's turn. Waddie Mitchell recites "When They've Finished Shipping Cattle in the Fall" by Bruce Kiskaddon during the "From the Front Porch" show at the 30th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

    ABOUT THE ARTIST
    Waddie Mitche...