Once I was a cowboy. I was on the western plains.
Once I was a cowboy. I was on the western plains.
I drove about a half a million cattle on the reign.
Ki yi yippi yippi yay yippi yay. Ki yi yippi yippi yay.

Me and another cowboy broke down on Antler Hill. 
Me and another cowboy broke down on Antler Hill.
Talkin' about a cowboy, name of ol' Big Bill. 
Ki yi yippi yippi yay yippi yay. Ki yi yippi yippi yay.

Left my good girl cryin' settin' in her rockin' chair. 
Left my good girl cryin' settin' in her rockin' chair.
She said, “Mr. Johnson are you gonna come back here 
singin'Â…
Ki yi yippi yippi yay yippi yay. Ki yi yippi yippi yay?”

I hear the coyotes howlin' my tears they fall like rain.
I hear the coyotes howlin' my tears they fall like rain.
While I'm gone, now darlin'Â…are you gonna carry my name?
Ki yi yippi yippi yay yippi yay. Ki yi yippi yippi yay

Once I was a cowboy ridin' tall up in my saddle.
Once I was a cowboy ridin' tall up in my saddle.
The roughest, toughest cowboy that ever herded cattle.
Ki yi yippi yippi yay yippi yay. Ki yi yippi yippi yay