'Twas the Week Before Christmas
By Will "Cherokee Slim" Lacey
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'Twas the week before Christmas and all through the Marr
Not a wrangler was stirring, round the old V.C.R.
Ropes all hung by the chimney with pity
For the next one that yelled out, "New York City!"
The Riders and their Misses were gathered like flowers
To exchange gifts and wishes for a few festive hours.
And if time permitted, and it didn't snow or rain,
They'd duck in a movie of the "Duke," John Wayne.
The couples were nestled all snug in their places
With smirks and smiles of awe on their faces,
While Miss Nancy in her curlers and Roper in his skivvies
Were trying their best to control the activities.
When out on the patio like an old worn out mop
Appeared Durango and Raider, a clippety clop.
All the Trail Riders started glaring so rude
At that pretty pine pony with that funny lookin' dude.
In all their born days hardly nothing compared
To that delirious sight, so they stood there and stared.
"Look Dusty, look Bandit, look Thunder Eagle and Grizz,
Look Cheyenne and Chippewa. What a circus this is,"
Groaned Buck, just standin' there scratchin' his head.
And rollin' and laughin were Slick and Texas Red.
Raider was all dressed up in Garland apparel.
"He's a gallopin' Christmas Tree," said Colorado's Miss Carol.
And Durango was puttin' on a show of his own,
Dancin' and movin' like a Stan Laurel clone.
He was wearin' and oversized Santa Claus suit
With a ten-gallon hat and a size twenty boot.
His eyeballs how bloodshot, his dimples how merry.
He'd undoubtedly been nippin' Miss Chris' cooking sherry.
He stammered, he staggered, he wobbled and fell,
Still singin' Deck the Halls and ringin' his bell.
So they went back and partied like a Mardi Gras torch,
And left poor Durango a snorin' on the porch.
They watched an A-Western and told Christmas tales,
And remembered throwin' horseshoes and ropin' hay bales.
They traded fine presents of gidgets 'n gadgets,
And Cowboy screamed "Gadgets, we don't need no stinkin' gadgets!"
Then 'long about midnight Durango mounted Raider,
And bid "Happy Christmas to all and to all see ya later!"
By Will "Cherokee Slim" Lacey - November 29, 1994
