I lived my days as a cowboy
For three years, in my youth
I rustled cattle in Missouri
And brought them up to Duluth
One time when I’s in Reno
I shot a man so I could be like Johnny Cash
This other time I’s broke and busted
I slept on thistles and broke out in a rash

I done my traveling
I done my traveling
From now on, it’s just gambling,
That I’ll be doing here
Be doing here

Well, Texas she was calling
Even back there in Des Monies
Some girl or some idea
‘bout a sack full of silver coins
Met this Hungarian girl in El Paso
Who let me watch her get dressed
And through my rambling and through my roaming
I always loved her the best

I done my traveling
I done my traveling
From now on, it’s just gambling,
That I’ll be doing here
Be doing here

And if I’d never got past Dakota
I’d have never seen the Jersey shore
Or the great Pacific
Up to Alaska
Where the whales come up from the ocean floor
But if I never left old Ottumwa
I’d just love the Mississippi more
Mississippi

I’m still a cowboy
I get up early
When darkness is in your eyes
And I like to drink my coffee
And watch that sucker rise
I watch the clouds roll crazy over
Clear up to the heat of noon
And the cornfields
Grinning, waving
Shake you right out of your pantaloons
Well I’m back now in El Paso
With my mad Hungarian by my side
We go rambling, when I ain’t gambling
It’s a real good ride

I’ve done my traveling
I’ve done my traveling
From now on it’s just gambling
That I’ll be doing here
Be doing here

(lyrics: Dan Bern)