Lyrics
Verse 1
He’s up before the rooster, checking fence and feedA lame old mare gets water first, before he tends his needsHe knows each calf by color, every scar and weather markKeeps a lantern by the doorway when the pasture turns dark
Pre‑Chorus
He don’t make a speech about the miles he’s runJust tips his hat and gets the hard work done
Chorus
That’s a cowboy, not the picture on the wallHe’ll catch you when you’re falling, he won’t brag about it allHe may bend beneath the burden, but he never stays downWhen he’s standing there before you, he’s ready for anything nowHey-oh, ready for anything nowHey-oh, that’s a cowboy now
Verse 2
He’ll mend a gate in freezing rain with wire around his handsPut a blanket on a shivering dog and still make morning plansHe never calls it courage when he rides into the messSays a promise isn’t finished till you’ve given it your best
Pre‑Chorus
He don’t need applause, he don’t need a crownThe quiet ones are strongest when the trouble comes around
Chorus
That’s a cowboy, not the picture on the wallHe’ll catch you when you’re falling, he won’t brag about it allHe may bend beneath the burden, but he never stays downWhen he’s standing there before you, he’s ready for anything nowHey-oh, ready for anything nowHey-oh, that’s a cowboy now
Bridge
Sometimes in the bunkhouse, when the county’s gone to sleepHe lets a tear fall private, where the darkness lets him keepBy sunrise he is steady, with his hand upon the gateNo complaint upon his lips, no room left for retreat
Final Chorus
That’s a cowboy, not the picture on the wallHe’ll care for every living thing and answer when they callHe may cry behind a closed door, but he never stays downWhen he’s standing there before you, he’s ready for anything nowHey-oh, ready for anything nowHey-oh, lift your voices nowThat’s a cowboy, humble as the ground beneath his bootsNever quits, never complains, lets his actions tell the truthHey-oh, ready for anything nowHey-oh, that’s a cowboy now
Outro
When he’s standing there before youHe’s ready for anything now