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Ballad Of John McEntire

by Pake McEntire

on The Rodeo Man (1982)

Gather 'round me boys, I've a story to tell
'Bout a friend of mine that you all know well
He's an old cowhand, he's known near and far
He goes by the name of John Mc
Entire

Eighteen ninety-seven was the year he was born
In Loula, Oklahoma, on a small dirt farm
Some say John was born with a rope in his hand
He wanted to be a rodeo man

A friend, a companion, and a rodeo star
There's none greater than John Mc
Entire

His father said, "Son, you must change your plans
There's work to be done farming the land"
He wouldn't give in to his father's advice
A-ropin' at rodeos was his whole life

You've heard it said and so often it's true
Behind a great man, there's a good woman, too
He had a great wife, Alice was her name
She helped him to ride a long road to fame

A friend, a companion, and a rodeo star
There's none greater than John Mc
Entire

He travelled the land from the East to the West
At ropin' wild steers he was the best
He worked mighty hard, and his dreams came true
He made world's champion and sung parklit too [?]

His friends, they number a million or more
John turns no-one away from his door
Whenenver you're down and all out of luck
He'll give you his shirt or his last buck

A friend, a companion, and a rodeo star
There's none greater than John Mc
Entire

Gather 'round me boys, I've a story to tell
'Bout a friend of mine that you all know well
He's an old cowhand, he's known near and far
He goes by the name of John Mc
Entire