| Share page | Visit Us On FB |
|
266 Ballads and Songs of Michigan
107 THE LITTLE BROWN BULLS
For a discussion of this song and for complete texts see Rickaby, pp. 65-68- According to one of Rickaby's informants, the song was composed in northwestern Wisconsin in 1872 or 1873, in the camp in which the contest took place. See also Eckstorm and Smyth, pp. 54-60.
The present version was sung in 1934 by Mr. John Walton, Wrood Brothers' lumber camp near Kalkaska.
1 O McGlosky on the river had nothing to fear, Swang his long gourd stick over his big spot of steers. They were tall, trim, and handsome, gourding nine foot and
three, "Just right," says the Scotchman, "they're the laddies for me."
2 Next came Bull Gordon with his little brown bulls;
They were short, shaggy, and handsome, gourding six foot and
nine. "Too light," says McGlosky, "to handle our pine." "O hold on one moment," Bull Gordon he cried,
3 "Here's twenty-five dollars and the day I will fulfill, When you skid one more log than the little brown bulls*" O the day was appointed, and soon it drew nigh
When twenty-five dollars their fortunes to try.
4 He was eager and anxious the day to come round, When the judges and scalers were there on the ground. O down the road came McGlosky in view,
As he hollered, "WhoaI Hawl" to the pets of the crew.
5 "It's chew your cuds well, boys, and keep your jaws full, And you'll never be beat by those little brown bulls." Next came Bull Gordon with his pips in his paw; Down came the brown bulls with a cud in each jaw.
6 Little did we think when we saw them come down That a hundred and forty they would jerk around. |
||