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Way out in North Nevada, where the Trukee's waters flow
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Where the cattle are 'a-browzin'' and the Spanish ponies grow
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Where the Norther comes whistlin' from beyond the Neutral strip
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And the prairie dogs are sneezin' as if they had 'the Grip'
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Where the coyotes come a-howlin' round the ranches after dark
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And the blue-birds are singin' to the lovely 'medder lark'
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Where the big horns are grazin' and the lonely plovers call
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It was there that I attended 'The Cowboys' Christmas Ball'
Intro
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The boys had left the ranches and come to town in piles
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The ladies 'kinder scatterin'' had gathered in for miles
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The room was togged out gorgeous with mistletoe and shawls
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And candles flickered frescoes around the airy walls
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The 'wimmin folks' looked lovely, the boys looked kinder treed
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Till their leader commenced yellin': 'Hey, fellers, let's stampede'
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The music started sighin' and a-wailin' through the hall
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As a kind of introduction to 'The Cowboys' Christmas Ball'
Intro
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The leader was a fellow that came from Swenson's Ranch
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They called him 'Windy Billy,' from 'little Dead-man's Branch'
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His rig was 'kinder keerless,' big spurs and high-heeled boots
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He had the reputation that comes when 'fellers shoots'
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His voice was like the bugle upon the mountain's height
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His feet were animated, an' a mighty movin' sight
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When he commenced to holler, 'Now, fellers, stake yer pen!
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Come on! lock horns to all them heifers, an' russle 'em like men
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Saloot yer lovely critters; now swing an' let 'em go
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Climb the grape vine round 'em, all hands do-ce-do!
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And Mavericks, jine the round-up, jest skip her waterfall'
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Huh! hit wuz gittin' happy, 'The Cowboys' Christmas Ball!'
Intro
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Don't tell me about cotillions, or germans. No sir 'ee!
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That whirl at Carson City just takes the cake with me
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I'm sick of lazy shufflin's, of them I've had my fill
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Just give me a fronteer breakdown, backed up by Wild Bill
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McAllister ain't nowhere! when Windy leads the show
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I've seen 'em both in harness, an' so I sorter know
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Oh, Bill, I sha'n't forget yer, and I'll oftentimes recall
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That lively-gaited sworray, 'The Cowboys' Christmas Ball'
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Oh, Bill, I sha'n't forget yer, and I'll oftentimes recall
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That lively-gaited sworray, 'The Cowboys' Christmas Ball'
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