While I was out a ridin'
the grave yard shift midnight till dawn
The moon was bright as a readin' light
for a letter from an old friend back home
And he asked me

Why do you ride for your money
Why do you rope for short pay
You ain't a gettin' nowhere and you're losin' your share
You must have gone crazy out there

Tells me last night he run on to Jenny
She's married and has a good life
Boy you sure missed the track when you never come back
She's the perfect professional's wife
And she asked him

Why does he ride for his money
Why does he rope for short pay
He ain't a gettin' nowhere and he's losin' his share
Well he must've gone crazy out there

But they aint never seen the Northern Lights
They've never seen a hawk on the wing
They've never seen spring on the Great Divide
They've never heard ole camp cookie sing

Well I read up the last of my letter
Tore off the stamp for black Jim
Bill he rode up to relieve me
He just looked at my letter and grinned
He said you know I wonder

Why do they ride for their money
Why do they ride for short pay
They ain't a gettin' nowhere and they're loosin' their share
They all must be crazy back there

Cause They ain't never seen the Northern Lights
They've never seen a hawk on the wing
They've never seen spring hit the Great Divide
They've never heard ole camp cookie sing