Way out in Old Nevada, where the Truckee's waters flow
Where the cattle are a-browsing and the Spanish ponies grow
Where the Northers come a-whistling from beyond the Neutral Strip
And the prairie dogs are sneezing, as if they had "The Grip"
Where the coyotes come a-howling 'round the ranches after dark
And the bluebirds are a-singing to the lovely meadow lark
Where the bighorns are a-grazing and the lonely plovers call
It was there that I attended The Cowboys' Christmas Ball (woo)

The boys had left the ranches and come to town in piles
The ladies kind of scattering had gathered in for miles
The room was togged out gorgeous with mistletoe and shawls
And candles flickered frescoes, around the airy walls
The women folk looked lovely, the boys looked kinda treed
'Til the leader got to yelling, "Hey, fellers, let's stampede!"
And the music started sighing, and a-wailing through the hall
As a kind of introduction to The Cowboys Christmas Ball

Their leader was a feller that came from Swenson's ranch
They called him Windy Billy, from little Dead man's Branch
His rig was "kinda careless," big spurs and high-heeled boots
He had the reputation that come when a feller shoots
His voice was like a bugle upon a mountainous height
His feet were animated an' a mighty moving sight
When he commenced to hollering, "Now, fellers stake your pen!"
"Lock horns with all them heifers, and Russel them like men"
"Salute yer lovely critters, now swing and let them go" (let 'em go)
"Climb the grape vine 'round them all hands do-si-do" (all hands do-si-do)
"You Mavericks, join the round-up, just skip her waterfall" (skip her waterfall)
Huh, it was getting happy, The Cowboys Christmas Ball

Don't tell me 'bout cotillions, or Germans, no sirree
That whirl at Carson City just takes the cake with me
I'm sick of lazy shuffling's, of them I've had my fill
Just give me a frontier break-down, backed up by Wild Old Bill

McAllister ain't nowhere, when Windy leads the show
I've seen them both in harness, and so I sorta know
Oh, Bill, I shan't forget you, and I'll oftentimes recall
That lively gaited soiree, The Cowboys Christmas Ball

Oh, Bill, I shan't forget you, and I'll oftentimes recall
That lively gaited soiree, The Cowboys Christmas Ball Writer/s: Brandon Flowers, Dave Brent Keuning, Mark August Stoermer, Ronnie Vannucci Jr.
Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind