Homestead Songtext

Almost got me a coyote today A lowdown skunk of a dog, I say I fired my gun as he slunk away But he'll be back again You know, it ain't been easy since my husband died A widow woman at thirty-five And none can court me and few have tried But I keep these homestead hopes alive A couple of cows, a couple of hens A mule that plows every now and then But mostly balks and wears me thin He can't talk but I swear he grins Don't call it a prairie if you fence it in You could call it a pasture but the topsoil's thin It just might rain but then again It will not make a difference Ever since they built that damn railroad Hobos been knocking at my door Saying "Lady, I will work for food Can I haul your water, can I chop your wood?" "Well, now let me take a good look at you (There ain't nothing lye and hot water won't do) And you can sleep on my porch if you're wanting to And I'll give you my husband's old brown boots" But in the morning he was up and gone A chicken missing from my pen I told you that coyote would be back again But it don't make no difference Don't call it a prairie if you fence it in You could call it a pasture but the topsoil's thin It just might rain but then again It will not make a difference Don't you call it a prairie if you fence it in You could call it a pasture but the topsoil's thin Sometimes I still take hobos in But I walk to town when I need a friend When I need a friend