Coleman, David Evans "The Ol' Chuck Waggin"

(Granduncle of the contributor, Richard N. Heywood)
                                     

The Ol' Chuck Waggin by David Evans Coleman 

Contributor's Note:  The Ol' Chuck Waggin was written by David Evans Coleman (Uncle Evans) and distributed by him in typewritten form, dated Nov. 10, 1934.  It was apparently distributed to family members.  My copy has a handwritten message, "A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year," signed, "Evans."  A similar handwritten note states, "I took this picture 31 years ago out in New Mexico 10 miles west of the Salt Lake Crater.  E.C"  That picture has been lost.  

     David Evans Coleman was born in historical Spring Valley, Nevada, 12 Feb 1873, was reared in pioneer homes in Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.  He was a cowboy in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.  He died 15 Dec 1954 in Thatcher, Arizona at the age of  81.  He knew what a "Chuck Waggin" was.  

Richard N. Heywood, rnheywood@gmail.com.  

The Ol' Chuck Waggin

When the day is long and cold and dreary,

An' a feller is wet an' gaunt an' weary, 

An' you ain't had time to stop fer noon,

Fer the boss is gatherin' steers to drive to the railroad soon.

An' you're down an' out an' your spirits is sorter saggin',

They just ain't nothing peps a feller up like comin' in sight of the ol' chuck waggin.  

An' when you git to camp you've got an appetite that's purty keen, 

      An' the boys is talkin' about the horses they used to ride, that was mighty mean,

An' about their mornin's work is more or less a braggin'

You jist load up your plate, an' in a minute close your eyes and say, "Lord, bless the dear ol' cook, an' remember the good things about the feller 'at built the first ol' chuck waggin.

When your on last guard an’ joggin’ ‘round the herd an’ its so doggon cold you cain’t speak a word to the feller you meet ridin’ ‘tother way,  

And the moon is purty pale an’ streaks of light in the east is tellin’ about the comin’ day,

An’ the cook is mighty slow an’ things at camp is laggin’,

They jist ain’t nothin’ seems as comfortin’ as seein’ the fire-light a play’ on the rear of that ol’ chuck waggin’

When the cook calls, “Chuck is ready, Come an’ get ‘er,”

An’ you smell the steak an’ coffee bakin’, you feel some better.

But you get to keep joggin’ ‘round till the relief comes out,

And it seems like them boys ain’t in no hurry to begin stirrin’ about.

When you get to breakfast you’re the last. 

The boss leads out that ol' buckin’ horse you ain’t forked for ten days past.

You step across him an’ he worms an’ twists an’ pitches like hell,

An’ the boss says, “Ride him cowboy.  Spur him. Fan him with your hat and yell.”

All mornin’ long that ol’ horse, ever’ chance he gits goes to raggin’. 

Come noon an’ your tired an’ hungry an’ dusty, they just ain’t nothing tastes a good as a dinner at that ol’ chuck waggin.

They ain’t many of us ol’ time cowboys left, an’ one by one we’re slippin’ off the rim.

Since we was kids we been a hearin’ about ol’ ST. Peter, and I recken right soon now we’ll be a meetin’ him.

We’ll get thar jist before the mornin’ light.

He’ll size us up with a jolly wink and say, “Boys, jist step over to the right.

I lived down in that god ol’ world when we was a votin’ wet.

          An’ I expect you’ve many a time placed your money on a losin’ bet.

I don’t doubt but you boys is somewhat steeped in sin,

          But, I’ve got instructions not to bar any of you ol’ feelers from comin’ in.

It ain’t my place to stan’ here a naggin’,

But I shore am some proud to meet the boys that’s been boardin’ at that ol’ chuck waggin'.”

“You foller my direction an’ you cain’t lose the way.

          The boss’ll pint you out your horses an’ you’ll start to work to-day.

You’ll find a lot of ol’ time cow-boys—I’m not a saying who—

But them horses is fat an’ shawd all round fer theys a lot of brandin’ yet to do.

Just on more word boys:  They’s some sins that on your trail will keep a draggin’,

But they won’t seem so hard when you git to camp an’ git a good square meal at that ol’ chuck waggin’.” 

This transcription includes changes in format to make its reading easier.  RNH