Faster horses (The cowboy and the poet) (video)

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1. He was an old-time cowboy, don't you understand ?

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his eyes were sharp as razor blades, his face was leather-tanned,

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his toes were pointed inwards from a-hangin' on a horse,

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he was an old philosopher, of course.

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2. He was so thin I swear you could have used him for a whip,

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he had to drink a beer to keep his britches on his hips.

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I knew I had to ask him about the mysteries of life,

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he spit between his boots and he replied:

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It's faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money !

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3. He smiled and all his teeth were covered with tobacco stains,

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he said, "It don't do men no good to pray for peace and rain.

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'Peace and rain is just a way to say prosperity,

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and buffalo chips is all it means to me.

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4. I told him I was a poet, I was lookin' for the truth,

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I do not care for horses, whiskey, women or the loot.

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I said I was a writer, my soul was all on fire,

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he looked at me and he said, "You are a liar."

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Son, it's faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money !

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5. Well, I was disillusioned, if I may say the least,

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I grabbed him by the collar and I jerked him to his feet.

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There was something cold and shiny a-layin' by my head,

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so I started to believe the things he said.

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6. Well, my poet days are over, and I'm back to bein' me,

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as I enjoy the peace and comfort of reality.

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If my boy ever asks me what it is that I have learned,

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I think that I will readily affirm :

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Son, it’s faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money !

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Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money !

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Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money ....

(Tom T. Hall)