Night Guard

(Album: Northwest Passage - 1981)

Forty-four's no age to start again
But the bulls were getting tough and he was never free of pain
Where others blew their winnings getting tanked
Most of his got banked saving for the farm

He never thought she'd wait for him at all
She wanted more than broken bones and trophies on the wall
But when he quit and finally got the farm
She ran into his arms and now they've got a kid

He was star of all the rodeos but now they rob him blind
It took eighteen years of Brahma bulls and life on the line
To get this spread and a decent herd
But now he spends his time pulling night guard

He told her that he'd got it for the game
A "Winnie" 303 with his initials on the frame
Riding in the scabbard at his knee. Tonight he's gonna see
Who's getting all the stock

Seventh one this summer yesterday
Half a year of profits gone, and now there's hell to pay
The cops say they know who, but there's no proof
The banker hit the roof, and damn near took the car

He was star of all the rodeos but now they rob him blind
It took eighteen years of Brahma bulls and life on the line
To get this spread and a decent herd
But now he spends his time pulling night guard

He hears the wire popping by the road
Sees the blacked out Reo coming for another load
This time, it's not one they take but two
Two minutes and they're through, and laughing in the cab

And here'll be the end of this tonight
'Cause all the proof he needs is lying steady in his sights
It may be just the worst thing he could do
But he squeezes off a few, then make his call to town

He was star of all the rodeos but now they rob him blind
It took eighteen years of Brahma bulls and life on the line
To get this spread and a decent herd
But now he's doing time pulling night guard