RUSTY THE TRUSTY LEAD STEER - Song Page
© words & music by Annie Wilson
from CD Sky & Water, Wind & Grass
Album notes: I wrote this song in 2017 - on the 150th anniversary of the Chisolm Trail. This song is patterned off the real life “Old Blue,” the lead steer of Charlie Goodnight. Even here on our ranch, when we
move cattle, there is always one steer who takes the lead, and the others naturally follow. A lot like people!
Click below to LISTEN FOR FREE (to purchase go to STORE)
LYRICS:
My long-horns are seven feet wide
I’m eight feet from front to the rear
My color is red from my tail to my head
I am: Rusty - the trusty lead steer
I lead thousands of half-wild longhorns
From Texas to Kansas each year.
They follow my tail up the old Chisolm Trail
Cause I’m: Rusty - the trusty lead steer
When-the drovers discovered my talents
They took me back home that first year.
There’s a job to be done and they know I’m the one
Cause I’m: Rusty - the trusty lead steer
Some herds are plumb wild and crazy
Start runnin’ at each sound they hear
But-there’ll be no stampede - with me in the lead
Cause I’m: Rusty the trusty lead steer
In storms I will stay calm and steady
Though lightning may cause some to fear
I’ll follow the trail through the thunder and hail
Cause I’m: Rusty - the trusty lead steer
When we come to the draws and the canyons
Some are skittish and scared to go near
But they know I’m the boss and I’ll take them across
Cause I’m: Rusty - the trusty lead steer
I know where to cross on each river
Where the channels and current are clear
I know how to swim and I’m first to jump in
Cause I’m: Rusty - the trusty lead steer - BUT. . .
My trail-drivin’ days are now finished
No longer I’ll walk the frontier
These days with the drovers are finally over
For: Rusty - the trusty lead steer
So they’ve made me a home in the pasture
After leadin’ their herds for ten years
Yes, I’ve earned them a bank-full and so they are thankful
For: Rusty - the trusty lead steer