Cowboy Poems and Outright Lies features 25 original poems by legendary cowboy poet Hal "Nevada" Swift. If you're looking to find out "what's true and what ain't" this is the book for you.
Hal Swift has lived in Arizona, Texas, California, and Colorado. As well as Indiana, where he was born, and Nevada where he and his wife reside.
Hal was being interviewed on the radio a while back, and was asked if he ever worked as a cowboy. He admitted he had not. Bob, the interviewer, a friend of Hal's, said, "Well, Arthur C. Clarke never worked as an astronaut, but that hasn't kept him from writing some good space adventures" Hal's response was simple, "I like that Bob".
Why is Hal's book, Cowboy Poems and Outright Lies, so sought
after? Well, it's a good book, for one thing. And the way he handles
various topics captures readers' hearts and minds, taking them to
a place most of us wish really existed, and reminds us of some of
those places we wish we'd never been.
For instance, The Ballad of Dogie Munroe tells about a cowboy
who flaunted custom and wore sneakers! Not cowheel boots
like everyone else in the county--and there's a price to pay:
Lately I've noticed that some of my friends
Aint' lookin' like cowpokes as such
Now I kept my mouth shut when ball caps come in
But sneakers is dang near too much
And, Hal has a sweet side, too--as in Cowboy's Wife, a tribute to
Carol, his wife since 1952:
Now I ain't the world's toughest cowhand
I know that an' so do you
But m'wife thinks I kin do anythin'
An' sometimes I think so too
Spiritual? In Gospel Quartette, he finds a type of music he's
never heard before in a riverside baptismal service in a place
he's never seen, and is unable to find again:
The way them four boys was a singin' down there
It seemed like their hearts would jist break
I'd never heard singin' quite like this before
My soul was beginnin' to ache
From A Fresh Loaf o' Bread to Y'Kin Allus Tell a Cowpoke, Hal's poems
let you rediscover old friends you thought had gone on, and
introduces you to new friends you'll want to keep forever in
that special place found only in your heart, and in Cowboy Poems
and Outright Lies.
A Fresh Loaf o' Bread Grampaw Ate The Jelly
Young Doctor Bob My First Rodeo
A Mare Named Bill Phylo Jenk's Bath
Apache Joe Rope Trick
Ballad Of Dogie Munroe The Big Parade
Behold A Pale Horse The Cowboy Way
Cowboy Music The Trickster
Cowboy's Wife The Veteran
Cowpoke's Funeral Them Boys of Ours
Daredevil Donald McQuid When The Hired Hands All Quit
Don't Touch M' Hat Where's My Hat an' Boots
Gospel Quartette You Kin Allus Tell a Cowpoke
Don't Wear Y'Spurs to Dancin'
John in Nevada
There are bushel baskets filled with humor in the 25 offerings, and
several pint jars filled with tears as well.
A buckeroo's life can be generous, heartbreaking, sad, and filled with
joy.Hal Swift is filled with empathy for the cowboy, for the cowboy's way, for
all the traditions of the West, handed down by those who ride the trails, eat
too many rabbits, live life in all its gregariousness.
Robert O. in British Columbia,Canada
It would be so nice if the qualities in Hal Swift's opus were everywhere in real life...Where folks got along and learned good lessons at every turn, there is so much charm and quiet wit in all the writings...It makes a person long for small town life ..or as penned by Hal, the cowboy life..I'm far from being a cowpoke or even knowing any one with a saddle and pointy boots but "Cowboy Poems and Outright lies." makes me want to see those denizen of the 'Swift' tall tale move into my neigborhood...a delightful read...that will charm you..make you laugh ...and even get a little sentimental ...leave it out on your coffee table for guests and by the time you've fluffed the milk on their Cappuccino you'll have them beaming with the joy that is Hal's rustic world and view of world kindness.
Ole in Missouri
What a wonderful way to spend an hour or two, reading the wonderful,
delightful cowboy poetry by Hal. I am not a cowboy, can't wear pointy
boots, but what a lot of pleasure I receive from Hal's Cowboy Poetry.
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