Western World of Wilderness of Danger and Beauty

Daily western content. Facts, photos, paintings, songs and more.

[wildwidewest]

Cruel, cruel world, must I go on? Cruel, cruel world, I'm moving on. I’ve been living too fast, I've been living too wrong. Cruel, cruel world, I'm gone. This big old world sure got me running ’round Heard a voice, it told me "Settle down" And with the moonlight as my guide and with this feeling deep inside I know now that I am homeward bound. As I wander through the pines, the whisperings, they tell. Of the many before me who tried and fell. Seeking fortune and ways to get to glory days. Looking for a place in this old world. Cruel, cruel world, must I go on? Cruel, cruel world, I'm moving on. I've been living too fast. I've been living too wrong. Cruel, cruel world, I'm gone. Desert roads, desert plains I have seen so much pain Now I see into the eyes of a girl No more, no more, cruel world. On a dusty trail I saw vapor light Was it a mirage? Don't know, but it seemed right I felt mission, I felt trust I knew then that I must Go to her, away from this cruel world Cruel, cruel world, must I go on? Cruel, cruel world, I'm moving on I've been living too fast I’ve been living too wrong. Cruel, cruel world, I’m gone

Text by Daniel Lanois

Singer: Josh Homme

[wildwidewest]

To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day

Hardly spoke to folks around him didn't have too much to say

No one dared to ask his business no one dared to make a slip for the stranger there amongst them had a big iron on his hip

It was early in the morning when he rode into the town

He came riding from the south side slowly lookin' all around

He's an outlaw loose and running came the whisper from each lip

And he's here to do some business with the big iron on his hip

In this town there lived an outlaw by the name of Texas Red

Many men had tried to take him and that many men were dead

He was vicious and a killer though a youth of twenty four

And the notches on his pistol numbered one and nineteen more

Now the stranger started talking made it plain to folks around

Was an Arizona ranger wouldn't be too long in town

He came here to take an outlaw back alive or maybe dead

And he said it didn't matter he was after Texas Red

Wasn't long before the story was relayed to Texas Red

But the outlaw didn't worry men that tried before were dead

Twenty men had tried to take twenty men had made a slip

Twenty one would be the ranger with the big iron on his hip

The morning passed so quickly it was time for them to meet

It was twenty past eleven when they walked out in the street

Folks were watching from their windows every-body held their breath

They knew this handsome ranger was about to meet his death

There was forty feet between them when they stopped to make their play

And the swiftness of the ranger is still talked about to-day

Texas Red had not cleared leather when a bullet fairly ripped

And the ranger's aim was deadly with the big iron on his hip

It was over in a moment and the folks had gathered round

There before them lay the body of the outlaw on the ground

Oh he might have gone on living but he made one fatal slip

When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip

Big iron on his hip...

Johnny Cash

Text by Marty Robbins

One of the most beautiful Wild West stories.

[wildwidewest]

1895 Train Robbery Reward Poster. This poster offered a substantial $1000 reward in conjunction with a major train robbery involving the use of dynamite.

[wildwidewest]

Rollin', rollin', rollin'

Though the streams are swollen

Keep them doggies rollin'

Rawhide

Rain and wind and weather

Hell bent for leather

Wishin' my gal was by my side

All the things I'm missin'

Good vittles, love and kissin'

Are waiting at the end of my ride

Move 'em on (head em' up!)

Head em' up (move 'em on!)

Move 'em on (head em' up!)

Rawhide!

Cut 'em out (ride 'em in!)

Ride 'em in (cut em' out!)

Cut 'em out, Ride 'em in

Rawhide!

Keep movin', movin', movin'

Though they're disapprovin'

Keep them doggies movin'

Rawhide

Don't try to understand 'em

Just rope 'n' throw and brand 'em

Soon we'll be livin' high and wide

My heart's calculatin'

My true love will be waitin'

Be waitin' at the end of my ride

It may sound silly but this is the most beautiful song about driving cattle. It has a beautiful text though so simple. This is one of the songs that took me to country and the wild west. My favorite version of this song is the performance of The Blues Brothers and Frankie Laine.

[wildwidewest]

East and West Shaking Hands at Laying of Last Rail, 1869

,,Western Union offered coverage direct from the scene, the first major news event carried ‘live’ from coast-to-coast. Telegraph wires were attached to one of the ceremonial spikes and as it was gently tapped with a silver maul, the ‘strokes’ were heard across the country."

The transcontinental railroad at 150 – in pictures

In a new travelling exhibition, the significance of the transcontinental railroad, finished in 1869, will be celebrated in a series of image

[wildwidewest]

Old Stand Saloon 1914