No More Buffalo
James McMurtry Lyrics

I guess we knew the cards were stacked
We were aware that our situation was set up against us from the start.

started out the best of friends
We began our journey as close companions.

and we beat that highway 'till it quit beating back
We traveled extensively, until eventually the road became deserted.

it didn't mean much in the end some you win, some you lose
Looking back, our experiences did not amount to much, like a mix of both gains and losses in life.

some you throw away
Some things or experiences are simply dismissed and forgotten.

we headed South across those Colorado plains
We traveled southward across the flat lands of Colorado.

just as empty as the day
The terrain seemed as lifeless as when we first saw it.

we looked around at all we saw
We took in everything around us.

remembered all we'd hoped to see
We recalled our original expectations and expectations for our journey.

looking out through the bugs on the windshield
As we gazed through the many insects on the car's windshield.

somebody said to me
One of us said something to me.

no more buffalo
The buffalo are no longer prevalent.

blue skies or open road
The blue skies and open roads are no more.

no more rodeo
The rodeo is also gone.

no more noise
The hustle and bustle we once knew is no longer present.

take this Cadillac
Let's take this car.

park it out in back
We'll park the car in the back.

mama's calling
We need to go home.

put away the toys
We must leave our frivolous activities behind.

don't chase that carrot
Don't pursue something that is out of reach or unattainable,

'till it makes you sick
lest it becomes an unhealthy obsession

what do you think you're gonna prove
What do you expect to achieve by doing so?

just let it dangle
Simply let it be.

'till it falls off that stick
Until it naturally separates from its attachment point.

that's when you make your move
At that point, it is wise to take action.

don't go chasing after shooting stars
It's best not to pursue unrealistic goals.

trying to make yourself a name
In an attempt to establish yourself in fame or reputation.

you could joust at the windmills
You could fight imaginary battles or pursue impossible quests.

with that old Fender guitar
Using a musical instrument as your weapon of choice.

you'd probably do about the same
It will likely lead to the same outcome.

I never thought they'd ever doubt my words
I was certain nobody would ever doubt me.

I guess they were just too tired to care
I suppose they were too indifferent or exhausted to listen closely.

I'd point to the horizon
I would gesture towards the distance.

to the dust of the herds
To the remaining dust remnants of the migrating buffalo.

still hovering in the air
Steadfastly still present in the atmosphere.

somebody said it aint any such
Someone contradicted or disbelieved my sighting.

man you wish so hard you're scaring me
You are so desperately hopeful and optimistic that it concerns me.

and those are combines kicking up that dust
Actually, farming machinery is responsible for the rising dust clouds.

but I guess you can see what you want to see
I suppose one can interpret what one perceives in different ways.

you can keep on chasing what used to be there
You may continue chasing after something that no longer exists.

top that rise and face the pain
Climb that peak and confront the difficulties ahead.

but man they were here
But the buffalos indeed roamed here at some point.

they were here I swear
I vehemently vouch for their presence.

not just these bleaching bones
There were more than just these decaying bones.

stretching across the plain
Spread out all throughout this area.