Old Paint – Roger McGuinn's Folk Den

Old Paint is a song that tells the story of the special relationship between a cowboy and his horse. The setting is in the 1800s, when adventurous people forged westward in search of greater freedom and happiness. The last verse is especially interesting where the cowboy wants to be entombed, as it where, on the back of his pony, traveling across the endless prairie. This is clearly a metaphor for man's quest for eternal life.

A coulee is a depression in the prairie; a draw is, almost a ravine.

On this song I used a Martin D-12-45 with a capo on the second fret. The recording is in the key of 'A' but the chord pattern is in the key of 'G.'

Lyrics:

[G] I ride an old [Em] paint, I [G] lead an old [Em] Dan
I'm [D] goin' to Montan' for to [G] throw the hoo-li-an
They [D] feed in the cou-lees, they [G] water in the draw
Their [D] tails are all matted, and their [C] backs are all [G] raw
Ride [D] around little dogies, [G] ride around slow
For the [D] Firey and Snuffy are a [C] rarin' to [G] go

Old Bill Jones had a daughter and a son
One went to college and the other went wrong
His wife she died in a pool-room fight
And still he keeps singing from morning 'til night
Ride around little dogies, ride around slow
For the Firey and Snuffy are a rarin' to go

When I die take my saddle from the wall
Lead me down to my pony, take him out of his stall
Put my bones on his back, point our faces to the west
And we'll ride the prairie, that we love the best
Ride around little dogies, ride around slow
For the Firey and Snuffy are a rarin' to go