Goodbye Old Paint
Harry Mcclintock Lyrics


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My foot s in the stirup my pony wont stand.
Goodbye old paint lma leave′n Cheyenne.
Goodbye old paint lma leave'n Cheyenne.
Im leave′n Cheyenne, Im off for Montan.
Goodbye old paint lma leave'n Cheyenne.
Goodbye old paint lma leave'n Cheyenne.
Im ride′n old paint, Im a living old man.
Goodbye old paint lma leave′n Cheyenne.
Goodbye old paint lma leave'n Cheyenne.
My feets in the stirups, my bridal in my hand.
Goodbye old paint lma leave′n Cheyenne.
Goodbye old paint lma leave'n Cheyenne.
Old paint s a good pony.
He paces when he can.
Goodbye old paint lma leave′n Cheyenne.
Goodbye old paint lma leave'n Cheyenne.
O′ hitchup your horses and feed 'em some hay.
And seat yourself by me as long as you stay.
And seat yourself by me as long as you stay.
My horse s ain't hungary.
They won′t eat your hay.
My wagon is loaded and roll′n away.
My wagon is loaded and roll'n away.
Im up in the saddle.
The reins are in my hand.




Goodbye fair lady lma leave′n Cheyenne.
Goodbye fair lady lma leave'n Cheyenne.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Harry McClintock's song "Goodbye Old Paint" depict a farewell to the familiar and the embarkation on a new journey. The singer mentions having their foot in the stirrup but the pony refusing to stand, indicating a desire to move forward but facing some initial resistance. The repetition of "Goodbye old paint lma leave'n Cheyenne" emphasizes the departure from a place called Cheyenne, with the intention of heading towards Montana.


The singer expresses their intention to ride "old paint," suggesting a connection with a horse that has aged but is still reliable. The line "Im a living old man" could be interpreted as a reflection on the singer's own age and experience, contrasting with the youthfulness of the horse. The stirrups and bridle mentioned highlight the preparations for the journey, emphasizing the singer's readiness to leave.


Towards the end of the song, the singer addresses someone, inviting them to hitch up their horses and sit by their side for as long as they wish to stay. The mention of horses not being hungry and not eating the hay might be a metaphor for not being tied down or dependent on others. The final lines convey the singer being up in the saddle, reins in hand, bidding farewell to a fair lady in Cheyenne. This can be seen as a romantic relationship being left behind as the rider moves on to new horizons.


Overall, "Goodbye Old Paint" captures a sense of adventure, farewell, and the bittersweet feeling of leaving something behind while embracing the unknown.


Line by Line Meaning

My foot s in the stirup my pony wont stand.
I am ready to leave, but my pony is refusing to stay still.


Goodbye old paint lma leave′n Cheyenne.
Farewell to my old horse, I am departing from Cheyenne.


Im leave′n Cheyenne, Im off for Montan.
I am leaving Cheyenne and heading towards Montana.


Im ride′n old paint, Im a living old man.
I am riding my trusty horse, feeling like an old man.


My feets in the stirups, my bridal in my hand.
I have my feet in the stirrups and hold the reins in my hand.


Old paint s a good pony.
My horse, Old Paint, is a reliable companion.


He paces when he can.
He moves at a comfortable pace when he is able.


O′ hitchup your horses and feed 'em some hay.
Prepare your horses and provide them with some food.


And seat yourself by me as long as you stay.
Come and sit next to me for as long as you remain here.


My horse s ain't hungary.
My horses are not hungry and won't eat your hay.


They won′t eat your hay.
They have no appetite for the hay you offer.


My wagon is loaded and roll′n away.
My wagon is fully loaded and ready to roll away.


Im up in the saddle.
I am mounted on the horse's saddle.


The reins are in my hand.
I hold the reins firmly in my grasp.


Goodbye fair lady lma leave′n Cheyenne.
Farewell, my dear lady, I am departing from Cheyenne.




Writer(s): Harry Mcclintock

Contributed by Evan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@wfr1108

Though his time has passed, as any time does, we’ll always remember a time like this, through this music. I don’t generally write an emotional comment like this, but I’ve got nothing but respect for times passed, and what I’m glad the world once had, and still has a parcel of.

@miniatures1

I would go back to those times in a heart beat and you want to know the crazy part I'm only 19.

@miniatures1

@@freezinboxing I've never lived in a city before I have always lived out on land with my folks and I will tell you something I will never live in or anywhere near a city as long as I live.

@Tsuma_Vento

@@freezinboxing Me neither, country life forever, but... let's not pretend those times were easy. I implore you to look up those grunge videos about the life in the old west, and what it meant to be a cowboy... Especially the harrowing sanitary circumstances...or lack thereof. And then there's the traveling from town to town and running the risk of getting robbed or killed while sleeping under the stars. And there's so much more I could add... even keeping a ranch you weren't sure of your life.

@antzrantz3883

@@Tsuma_Vento and the disease 😭 so much of it

@peterwerner835

I'm 73. I remember my mother singing a few of these, in particular, Hallelujah im a bum.

@edmondscott7444

Beautifully recorded for 1928.

@haydenharlock

Love this tune

@markbutterbrodt3714

sublime

@marryannlamb9853

Awesome thanks

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