In 1969, Ray Benson and Lucky Oceans (Reuben Gosfield) co-founded Asleep at the Wheel in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and soon after they found themselves opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC.[1] A year later, they moved to East Oakland, California at the invitation of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. After being mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine by Van Morrison, they landed a record deal with United Artists. In 1973, their debut album, Comin' Right At Ya was released by United Artists. At the request of Willie Nelson, they left Oakland for Austin in 1974.
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been presented numerous awards throughout their career. Most recently, the 16th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the making of "A Ride With Bob", recognition by Mayor Kirk Watson of Austin, Texas, and the Darrel K. Royal Music Patron Award by The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association. In 2007, The Austin Chronicle recognized Asleep at the Wheel for Band of the Year, Best Country Band, and into their Hall of Fame. Benson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 2002, was given The Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and recognized as an Outstanding Producer by the National Academy of Recording Arts in 1988. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years.
Big Ball's In Cowtown
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sleepin' on the ground
Eatin' saltine crackers
Ten cents a pound
[Chorus]
Big ball's in Cowtown
We'll all go down
We'll dance around
I'll go to Cowtown
I'll dance around
Board up your windows
The big boy's in town
[Chorus]
Put on your new shoes
Put on your gown
Shake off them sad blues
The big ball's in town
[Chorus]
Everybody's smilin'
You can't find a frown
The girls are all happy cause
The big ball's in town
Big ball's in Cowtown
We'll all go down
Big ball's in Cowtown
Big ball's in town
The song starts off with a depiction of a tough life working on the railroad, sleeping on the ground and eating plain saltine crackers at a cheap price. However, the chorus shifts the mood completely by inviting listeners to join in the celebration of the "big ball" in Cowtown which promises dancing and happiness. The big ball seems to be a joyous event that's possibly something of a fair or carnival that's arrived in a small town. The repeated phrase "big ball's in town" emphasizes the novelty and excitement of the arrival of something grand and special.
The singer expresses their eagerness to attend the big ball, dressed up in their best clothes and ready to dance around. The second verse highlights a sense of warning or preparation by asking people to board up their windows, possibly as a measure for the unavoidable excitement the ball may bring. The third verse further encourages people to shed their negative emotions and join the festivities to create a happy atmosphere. The last chorus repeats the earlier verses and serves as a grand finale to the story of the big ball in Cowtown.
Overall, the song is a reflection of the simple joys that small towns and communities can share in the midst of everyday struggles. It's also a reminder that coming together in celebration can bring people a sense of happiness and unity.
Line by Line Meaning
Workin' on the railroad
I'm working hard to make a living as a laborer on the railroad
Sleepin' on the ground
I don't have a comfortable place to sleep and sometimes have to sleep outside on the ground
Eatin' saltine crackers Ten cents a pound
I have very little money, so I can only afford to buy cheap and bland food like saltine crackers
[Chorus]
The big ball is happening in Cowtown and we're all going to join the celebration and dance around
I'll go to Cowtown I'll dance around
I can't wait to go to Cowtown and participate in the festivities
Board up your windows The big boy's in town
The big ball is such a grand event that people are advised to protect their windows from any possible damage or disturbance that may occur during the celebration
[Chorus]
The big ball is still happening in Cowtown and we're all enjoying the party and dancing to the music
Put on your new shoes Put on your gown
It's time to dress up and look our best for the big ball
Shake off them sad blues The big ball's in town
Let's forget about our troubles and enjoy the joyous atmosphere that the big ball brings to Cowtown
[Chorus]
The big ball is still going strong and we're all having a great time
Everybody's smilin' You can't find a frown
The positive energy and excitement surrounding the big ball has lifted everyone's spirits and nobody is feeling sad or down
The girls are all happy cause The big ball's in town
Even the girls are thrilled about the big ball and are enjoying the celebration just as much as the boys
Big ball's in Cowtown We'll all go down Big ball's in Cowtown Big ball's in town
The big ball has been so much fun that we'll remember it forever and will be talking about it for a long time to come
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HOYLE NIX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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barbara desimine
Puts a smile on my face every time I hear it isnt that what music is all about!
Viva Texas swing!
Custer Ranch
Ray sure does dwarf those guitars. Saw him up close after a live show, and you don't realize how big he is until then.
But he's a real-deal guitar picker! It's not just a prop.
Mike Largent
What a treat. Great musicianship, vocals and performance-Live even!
Karen Murphy
Good ole Texas swing!!
Leo Pistone
43 years they've made me grin and dance, and i can't dance
knucklehead 745
The first Verse is about how Cowtown became Cowtown instead of Dallas. The Story is actually two fold. First, they built the Railroad thru Dallas but they ran out of Money about half way to FtWorth and the Citzens of FtWorth knew the importance of the Railroad so they used their own Money and the Citizens provided their OWN Labor and finished it and FtWorth became the furthest West shipping point for some time in TEXAS. The REAL REASON that FtWorth became the main shipping point for Cattle headed North on Cattle Drives is because Denton County (Next County North of Dallas and FtWorth) had a VERY CORRUPT Sherriff's Office and they were WELL KNOWN for hanging Cowboys for rustling Cattle they didnt rustle and stealing Horses they didnt Steal. As a result you couldn't pay a Cowboy enough Money to drive Cattle out of Dallas so they.moved the Stockyards West to FtWorth and bypassed Denton County. I'm 7th Generation TEXAS and I've lived outside FtWorth and Dallas for 51 years and I can assure you that Denton County TEXAS is, to this day, STILL CORRUPT as Hell itself. 😉🤠 The song Big Balls in Cowtown is about the Annual Cattlemens Ball that still happens every year in FtWorth TO THIS DAY🤠
P.S. Bob Wills is STILL the King 😉🤠
Keith Taylor
I didn't know that! Thanks for the clarification! Texas Swing music always gets me going!