Old Paint
Linda Ronstadt Lyrics
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I lead an old dam
I'm going to Montana
To throw a houlihan
They feed in the coolies
They water in the draw
Their tails are all matted
Their backs are all raw
Ride around
Ride around real slow
The fiery and the snuffy are raring to go
Old Bill Brown
Had a daughter and a son
One went to Denver
And the other went wrong
His wife she died in a poolroom fight
And still he keeps singing from morning til night
Ride around
Ride around real slow
Well the fiery and the snuffy are raring to go
Well when I die
Take my saddle from the wall
Put it on my pony
And lead him from his stall
Tie my bones to his back
Turn our faces to the west
And we'll ride the prairie
That we like the best
Ride around
Ride around real slow
Well the fiery and the snuffy are raring to go
Ride around
Ride around real slow
Well the fiery and the snuffy are raring to go
The song Old Paint by Linda Ronstadt is a classic cowboy ballad that tells the story of a cowboy who is traveling to Montana to participate in a rodeo event called a "houlihan." The cowboy rides an old paint horse and is accompanied by an old mare. They travel together through the coolies, which are long, narrow valleys, and the draws, which are small streams or canyons. The horses' tails are matted and their backs are raw, indicating the harsh conditions under which they have been working.
The song also tells the story of Old Bill Brown, a cowboy who had a daughter and a son. Brown's wife died in a poolroom fight, but he still sings from morning until night. The cowboy who is singing the song expresses his desire to be buried in the traditional cowboy manner, with his saddle on his pony and his bones tied to the horse's back. He wants to ride the prairie in the afterlife, just as he did in life.
Overall, the lyrics of Old Paint capture the ruggedness, resilience, and spirit of the American cowboy. The song speaks to the cowboy's deep connection to his horse and the land and his love of adventure and freedom. It is a celebration of a way of life that is deeply rooted in American history and culture.
Line by Line Meaning
I ride an old paint
I am riding an old horse with a spotted coat.
I lead an old dam
I'm leading an old female horse.
I'm going to Montana
I'm heading to Montana, a state in the western United States.
To throw a houlihan
To participate in a cowboy celebration that involves steer-roping and other events.
They feed in the coolies
The horses graze in the valleys along the hillsides.
They water in the draw
The horses find water to drink in a small valley or gully.
Their tails are all matted
Their tails are tangled and unkempt.
Their backs are all raw
The horses' backs have been rubbed raw by their saddles.
Ride around
Ride around the area.
Ride around real slow
Ride around at a slow pace.
The fiery and the snuffy are raring to go
The horses are eager to run and full of energy.
Old Bill Brown
A cowboy named Bill Brown.
Had a daughter and a son
Bill Brown had a daughter and a son.
One went to Denver
One of his children moved to Denver, a city in Colorado.
And the other went wrong
The other child made a mistake or took the wrong path in life.
His wife she died in a poolroom fight
Bill Brown's wife died in a fight that took place in a poolroom.
And still he keeps singing from morning til night
Despite the tragedy that happened to his family, Bill Brown continues to sing and stay positive.
Well when I die
When I pass away.
Take my saddle from the wall
Remove my saddle from the wall where it is hung up.
Put it on my pony
Instructing someone to put the saddle on his horse.
And lead him from his stall
Lead the horse out of his stall.
Tie my bones to his back
Figuratively speaking, when I die, tie the metaphorical representation of my bones to my horse's back - meaning my spirit will travel with the horse.
Turn our faces to the west
Face westward, towards the setting sun, and towards the open prairies.
And we'll ride the prairie
Together, the rider/horse duo will explore the vast and open countryside.
That we like the best
They will ride wherever they please, towards the western horizon.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LINDA RONSTADT, COMPOSER & AUTHOR TRAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind