“Ten Thousand Cattle”
Description
Perhaps as a result of a bad winter, "Ten thousand cattle have gone astray, Left my range and traveled away." The singer is left destitute. His girl has also left him (for another). Other verses may complain about the weather, his girl's lover, etc.
Notes
Reported to have been written by Owen Wister (1860-1938; author of _The Virginian_ plus assorted minor poetry) in 1888 based on the experiences of the dreadful winter of 1886/7 in Wyoming. - RBW
References
- Larkin, pp. 151-153, "Then Thousand Cattle" (1 short text, 1 tune)
- Ohrlin-HBT 6, "Ten Thousand Cattle" (1 text, 1 tune)
- DT, TENTHOU* TENTHOU2*
- Roud #5763
- BI, Ohr006