I like Johnny Cash's version of this song, but I never knew that Carl Sandburg was a singer. Here is Carl's 1938 recording, and a link with the song's history. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmas...he-american-songbag-i-ride-an-old-paint/2192/
I well remember that song, Joe ! I used to be able to sing at least parts of it, and we would sing it sometimes when we were out horseback riding. It is one of those songs that has words that most people would not understand unless they were actually a cowboy, or at least had some knowledge of cowboys. As an example, he sings about "going to Montan', for to throw the hoolihan" which really gives you no clues what he intends to do. The hoolihan is some kind of a roping trick. I am not just exactly sure how it goes, but that is what it is. I remember hearing it when I was in my early teens; so before johnny Cash. Maybe Rex Allen is who I first heard sing this song. In any case, it is a fine, sorrowful cowboy song.
That's so odd. I didn't know Carl Sandburg sang either, let alone played guitar! I just knew him as a great poet. I remember this song from my young, young days. Unless I am mistaken, my Grandmother talked about it being sung by Tex Ritter. Does anyone remember him, and do you know if he indeed had a rendition of this song?
@Brittany Houser , I do remember Tex Ritter, and he did sing that song also, and it was probably one of the earlier versions of the song. Another well-known song of the era was called "Deck of Cards", and Tex Ritter also sang that song. However, the version that I think was the most well-known, and the one that I remember, was by T. Texas Tyler.
Thanks Yvonne! I guess my memory serves me better than I thought. LOL I also remember Tex Ritter singing, "Rye Whisky." That was one my Grandma and I used to listen to and laugh.