The Cowboy and the Poet (Faster Horses)

He was an old time cowboy Don't you understand? His eyes were sharp as razor blades His face was leather tanned His toes were pointed inward From a hanging on a horse He was an old philosopher of course He was so thin I swear You could have used him for a whip He had to drink a beer To keep his breeches on his hips I knew I had to ask him About the mysteries of life He spat between his boots And he replied "Faster horses" "Younger women" "Older whiskey" "More money" He smiled and all his teeth were covered with tobacco stains He said, "It don't do men no good to pray for peace and rain" Peace and rain is just a way to say prosperity And buffalo chips is all that means to me" So, I told him I was a poet I was looking for the truth I do not care for horses Whiskey, women or the loot I said I was a writer And my soul was all on fire He looked at me And he said, "You are a liar" "It's faster horses" "Younger women" "Older whiskey" "More money" Well, I was disillusioned If I say the least I grabbed him by the collar And I jerked him to his feet There was something cold And shiny laying by my head So I started to believe The things he's saying Well, my poet days are over And I'm back to being me As I enjoy the peace And comfort of reality If my boy ever asks me What it is that I have learned I think that I will readily affirm "Son, it's faster horses" "Younger women" "Older whiskey" "More money" "Faster horses" "Younger women" "Older whiskey" "More money" "Faster horses" "Younger women" "Older whiskey" "More money" "Faster horses"