The Cattle Call
Eddy Arnold Lyrics
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The coyotes are howlin'
Way out where the doggies roam.
Where spurs are a jinglin'
And the cowboy is singin'
His lonesome cattle call.
He rides in the sun,
'Til his days work is done.
And rounds up the cattle each fall.
Singin' his cattle call.
For hours he would ride.
On the range far and wide.
When the night wind blows up and slow.
His heart is a feather.
In all kinds of weather.
He sings his cattle call.
The lyrics to Eddy Arnold's song "Cattle Call" describe the life of a cowboy out on the range, tending to his cattle and embracing the solitude of the open land. The opening lines set the scene with the image of cattle prowling and coyotes howling, emphasizing the untamed nature of the environment. The sound of spurs jingling and the cowboy's lonesome cattle call reveal the cowboy's connection to the land and his role as a caretaker of the animals. The second verse further emphasizes the cowboy's commitment to his work, riding in the sun until his job is done and singing his cattle call as a marker of his identity.
The final lines of the song convey the sense of contentment and fulfillment that the cowboy finds in his simple, solitary life. Riding for hours on the range, he is at ease in all kinds of weather and feels light as a feather, truly embracing his surroundings and the work that he does. The lyrics capture the essence of a cowboy's spirit and his love for the land and animals, suggesting that this rugged lifestyle offers a deep sense of purpose and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
The cattle are prowlin'
The cows are wandering around looking for food
The coyotes are howlin'
The wild dogs are making loud, high-pitched sounds to communicate with each other
Way out where the doggies roam.
Where the cattle are free to roam, far from civilization
Where spurs are a jinglin'
When cowboys wear metal attachments on their boots, they make a clinking sound when they walk or ride, which can sound like jingling bells
And the cowboy is singin'
The man who takes care of the cattle is singing a song to keep his spirits up, or to entertain himself
His lonesome cattle call.
His voice echoes across the prairies and lonely country roads, singing his famous tune to soothe the cows
He rides in the sun,
He walks on his horse carrying his supplies and works all day under the hot sun
'Til his days work is done.
He does not stop working until his work has been finished for that day
And rounds up the cattle each fall.
During the fall, he brings the cows together in order to keep track of them and keep them safe
Singin' his cattle call.
Throughout the day, the cowboy hums his signature tune, so that his animals recognize him and stay close
For hours he would ride.
He spends hours and hours riding his horse, going along dangerous roads and paths
On the range far and wide.
Across lands that have few people, towns or settlements
When the night wind blows up and slow.
As the evening sets in, and wind picks up, he keeps his tune going, his voice drifting with the wind
His heart is a feather.
A feeling of peace and calm that he gets from being alone.
In all kinds of weather.
He doesn't shy away from any sort of weather, whether rain, shine or snow
He sings his cattle call.
The lonely tune that will always accompany his journey, his work and his life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TEX OWENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind