Cowboyup America: cowboyup meaning, cowboy defined, code of the west, riders rules, cowboy 10 commandments, cowboy wisdom

Cowboyup means:

rodeo life: tuff-up, get back on yer horse, don't back down, don't give up, and do the best you can with the hand you're dealt.

ranch life: give it all you've got, or "I cowboy for a living."

cowboyup.com: cowboy spirit. all things cowboy. the cowboy way. cowboy culture.

...The cowboy symbolizes the free life, closely tied to the out-of-doors and Nature. The impact of land, the grass, the rivers and streams and gushing springs, the color of the sky and the clouds, the climate and the weather, these things are characteristic of the real and the mythical cowboy cultures. --David Dary, Cowboy Culture

what is a Cowboy?

From Merrian-Webster Dictionary: cow·boy

noun

1 : one who tends cattle or horses; especially : a usually mounted cattle-ranch hand
2 : a rodeo performer

 

From the American Heritage Dictionary: cow·boy   

n.
1. A hired man, especially in the western United States, who tends cattle and performs many of his duties on horseback. Also called cowman, cowpoke, cowpuncher, also called regionally buckaroo, vaquero, waddy.
2. An adventurous hero.

A cowboy is man with guts and a horse. -- will james.

John Wayne about old time cowboys--

They were simple, direct men.

They believed in things like liberty and minding their own business.

When the first cowboys were herding longhorns up the Chisholm Trail from Texas to Kansas they were a pretty tough lot, but they had to be. It was a rough era in our history. There was no room for nuance or no time for luxury.

Out of the lives of these cowboys have come all sorts of stories and legends, Some true and some fiction. But the most authentic and dependable evidence of what the cowboys really were has come from the artists who pictured them in their true environment, risking their lives in stampedes, freezing or sweating, under the stars, by lonely campfires, rowdying in saloons, fighting, branding and whooping it up around the chuck wagons.

Cowboy Up America

When a Cowboy's in a pinch
he just tightens up the cinch,
spurs his horse and rides right through it
cause that's the way the Duke'd do it.
He'd Cowboy Up.

And with our country now in danger
a cowboy's like the old Lone Ranger.
Ridin' hard and shootin' straight
fightin' those who spread the hate.
He'd Cowboy'd Up.

A Cowboy's ready and he's willin'
to face the foe, like Marshal Dillon.
And when the gunsmoke clears away
Cowboy Spirit wins the day.
So, Cowboy Up. Pull your hat down tight
and don't back down from what is right.
We'll bring back "Happy Trails" for you
like Hoppy, Gene and Roy would do.

Think back about Flight 93
and how those heroes came to be.
They knew that thousands more could die
if they just let that airplane fly
They Cowboy'd Up.

One widow had this tale to share.
A husband's love and one last prayer.
And when their sacrifice was done
terror lost and Freedom won
"Let's Roll", he said and Cowboy'd up.

Cause Cowboys fight until they win
just like TV's Paladin.
They will not let our flag unravel
as long as they Have Gun, Will Travel
And Cowboy Up, hell bent for leather.
Cause we're all in this fight together.
We're ridin' hard right on their trail
and with God's help, we will prevail.

If Gary Cooper, Joel McCrea
and Randolph Scott were here today
they'd fight for what is right and true
like Rex and Tex and Lash LaRue.
Who weren't afraid to Cowboy Up.

So, let's give Uncle Sam a hand
cause we're all ridin' for his brand.
And with that Texan in the saddle
our posse's gonna win the battle.
Let's Cowboy Up, pull our hats down tight.
Be rough and ready for the fight.
Our country's through with playin' games.
We're kickin' butt and taking names.
Yeah, Cowboy'd Up, pard, that means you.
Stand up tall and 'fore we're through
we'll kick 'em right in their gee-had
Cause now, they've made the Cowboys Mad.

© 2002, Jeff Hildebrandt

Jeff Hildebrandt, the author of Cowboy Up America, offers this poem printed on 11" x 14" parchment paper, suitable for framing - $6.00.

 

He also offers the poem on a CD with America The Beautiful playing behind it - $6.00.

 

There are also a limited number of VHS copies of the version of the poem that ran on The Westerns Channel - $10.00.

 

Send a check or money order made out to Jeff Hildebrandt, 8900 Liberty Circle, Englewood, CO 80112.

Be sure to mention that you saw this on www.cowboyup.com. to get these special prices.

 

A cowboy lives by "The Code of the West."

Hopalong Cassidy's "Creed for American Boys and Girls"

1.The highest badge of honor a person can wear is honesty. Be mindful at all times.

2.Your parents are the best friends you have. Listen to them and obey their instructions.

3.If you want to be respected, you must respect others. Show good manners in every way.

4.Only through hard work and study can you succeed. Don't be lazy.

5.Your good deeds always come to light. So don't boast or be a show off.

6.If you waste time or money today, you will regret it tomorrow. Practice thrift in all ways.

7.Many animals are good and loyal companions. Be friendly and kind to them.

8.A strong, healthy body is a precious gift. Be neat and clean.

9.Our country's laws are made for your protection. Observe them carefully.

10.Children in many foreign lands are less fortunate than you. Be glad and proud you are an American

Roy Roger's "Rider's Rules"

1. Be neat and clean.

2. Be courteous and polite.

3. Always obey your parents.

4. Protect the weak and help them.

5. Be brave but never take chances.

6. Study hard and learn all you can.

7. Be kind to animals and care for them.

8. Eat all your food and never waste any.

9. Love God and go to Sunday School regularly.

10. Always respect our flag and our country.

Gene Autry's "Ten Commandments of the Cowboy"

1. A cowboy never takes unfair advantage.
2. A cowboy never betrays a trust.
3. A cowboy always tells the truth.
4. A cowboy is kind to small children, to old folks, and to animals.
5. A cowboy is free from racial and religious prejudice.
6. A cowboy is helpful and when anyone's in trouble he lends a hand.
7. A cowboy is a good worker.
8. A cowboy is clean about his person and in thought, word, and deed.
9. A cowboy respects womanhood, his parents, and the laws of his country.
10. A cowboy is a patriot.

The Lone Ranger's Creed

I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one. That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world. That God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself. In being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right. That a man should make the most of what equipment he has. That "this government, of the people, by the people, and for the people," shall live always. That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number. That sooner or later...somewhere...somehow...we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken. That all things change, but the truth, and the truth alone lives on forever. I believe in my Creator, my country, my fellow man.

 

Cowboy Wisdom

Never miss a chance to rest your horse

If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

Don't worry about bitin' off more'n you can chew; your mouth is probably a whole lot bigger'n you think.

Only cows know why they stampede.

Always drink upstream from the herd.

If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then, to make sure it's still there with ya.

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

There's two theories to arguin' with a woman. Neither one works.

All I know is what I read in the papers.

Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.

I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Don't name a cow you plan to eat.

Life is not about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.

Keep skunks, lawyers, developers, and bankers at a distance.

Life is simpler when you plough around the stump.

A bee is faster than a John Deere tractor.

Meanness don't happen overnight.

Forgive your enemies. It messes with their heads.

Don't sell your mule to buy a plough.

Don't corner something meaner than you.

It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.

Every trail has some puddles.

When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

Most of the stuff people worry about never happens.

Don't squat with your spurs on.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

Don't interfere with something that ain't botherin' you none.

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

It's better to be a has-been than a never-was.

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

It don't take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep.

 

© jerry england 1989 - 2005