While we are on the subject of cowboy poetry and cowboy poets, I heard Waddie Mitchell recite a poem several years ago, the
theme was "the last cowboy's gone and the campfires gone out." I have tried to find that poem and haven't been able to.
Can anyone here help me out? I'd really appreciate it. TIA.
Are you thinking of the 1879 poem written by Ben Arnold? I think both Waddie Mitchell and Baxter Black have recited it.
The Camp-fire Has Gone Out
Through progress of the railroads our occupation’s gone;
So we will put ideas into words, our words into a song.
First comes the cowboy; he is pointed for the west;
Of all the pioneers I claim the cowboys are the best;
You will miss him on the round‑up; it’s gone, his merry shout, —
The cowboy has left the country and the camp‑fire has gone out.
There is the freighters, our companions; you’ve got to leave this land;
Can’t drag your loads for nothing through the gumbo and the sand.
The railroads are bound to beat you when you do your level best;
So give it up to the grangers and strike out for the west.
Bid them all adieu and give the merry shout, —
The cowboy has left the country and the camp‑fire has gone out.
When I think of those good old days, my eyes with tears do fill;
When I think of the tin can by the fire and the coyote on the hill.
I’ll tell you, boys, in those days old‑timers stood a show, —
Our pockets full of money, not a sorrow did we know.
But things have changed now; we are poorly clothed and fed.
Our wagons are all broken and our ponies ’most all dead.
Soon we will leave this country; you’ll hear the angels shout,
“Oh, here they come to Heaven, the camp‑fire has gone out.”
