- Blockers of Texas
-
- John Blocker had a brother and
they trailed the herds together
- Thirty years or so they drove the
cow and it never was a bother
- They'd start em down in Texas til
they reached the northern plains
- And sing out loud when they got
paid their monetary gains
-
- The last big drive they made was
in eighteen ninety three
- Nine thousand head of cattle
sounded like a bawling sea
- Their goal was Deadwood South
Dakota, in the summer heat
- Imagine all the dust they raised
around the cowhands feet
-
- My grandpa was a ten year old
probably speaking English good
- He lived in North Dakota then,
still gathering fire wood
- I don't suppose he read the news
or heard about the drive
- Just something going on somewhere,
like Wyatt Earp alive
-
- So if he heard of John or Ab, the
famous Blocker boys
- It wouldn't be till later when he
wasn't using toys
- And those boys lived awhile
throwing the Blocker loop
- Catching cows by both front feet
like a ball in a hoop
-
- I understand their rep was the
best at throwin' rope
- And Ab was said to be the best
trail boss on the lope
- It is also said he marked out in
dirt the XIT brand
- told the boys "Get branding." In
this ten county land
-
- so they added to the history of
the trail drive and it's lore
- real men who rode for thirty years
bringing meat to the store
- so when they hit Deadwood in
eighteen ninety three
- I'll bet they had a drink and
thought this day they'd never see
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