Ballad Of Will Rogers

He was born and raised in Oklahoma
His blood lines were white and Cherokee
His daddy owned a ranch outside of Clairmore
Where he learned to ride before the age of three

Now young Will Rogers was a cowboy
And he practiced with his rope 'most everyday
Well he'd ride around the barn or across the prairie
And throw a loop at anything that came his way

Yes, Will Rogers was a country boy
One of Oklahoma's favorite sons
The nation claimed him as their pride and joy
But his roots were deep in Oklahoma side

Before too long he had his fill of schooling
At eighteen years he got the urge to roam
A whole great big world was out there waiting
So he saddled up and lit out on his own

He wrangled for some ranches down in Texas
And he punched some cows out in New Mexico
And he nearly starved to death in Argentina
Then in Africa he joined a wild west show

Yes, Will Rogers was a country boy
One of Oklahoma's favorite sons
The nation claimed him as their pride and joy
But his roots were deep in Oklahoma side

From the early days of Vaudeville to the big time
Folks that knew him said he never changed
He was still the simple Oaklahoma cowboy
And no matter what he always stayed the same

Well I suppose most of all he loved the people
Said, he never met a man he didn't like
When times were hard and folks were feeling sorry
A word from Will would always bring a smile

Yes, Will Rogers was a country boy
One of Oklahoma's favorite sons
The nation claimed him as their pride and joy
But his roots were deep in Oklahoma side
Yes, his roots were deep in Oklahoma side