From the recording The Waiting Game
Western Swing - Al Davis, owner of the Oakland Raiders, was asked what happened to the guy who wanted to buy the team? Al replied with four words - Big Hat No Cattle. Bill noted the song possibilities in that, and later handed it off to me to write. I loved the idea and it practically wrote itself, just following the trail of cattle rhymes. We had big fun in the studio with this one. Rich Brotherton acoustic guitar, drums; Bill Kirchen electric guitar; Marty Muse console steel; Floyd Domino piano & David Carroll upright bass.
Lyrics
BIG HAT NO CATTLE
Louise Kirchen
BIG HAT NO CATTLE WHEN IT COMES TO DOING BATTLE
I COME ON STRONG BUT NOT FOR LONG IT’S ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY
BIG HAT NO CATTLE MY HORSE IS ALWAYS SADDLED
THE MOMENT I GET RATTLED I’VE GOTTA MAKE MY GETAWAY
WELL I KNOW A MAN SHOULD TAKE A STAND
BUT HERE I STAND WITH MY HAT IN HAND
THE ONLY WAY TO GET ALONG
IS TO SAY YOU’RE RIGHT I’M WRONG
BIG HAT NO CATTLE UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE
I’D JUST AS SOON SKEDADDLE AND BE ON MY MERRY WAY
BIG HAT NO CATTLE NO NEED TO FIDDLE FADDLE
WHEN IT’S TIME TO BAIL I’M TURNIN' TAIL HEADIN' ROUND THE BEND
BIG HAT NO CATTLE PLEASE DON’T RUN AND TATTLE
JUST CALL MY BLUFF I’VE HAD ENOUGH AND I DON’T CARE WHO WINS
YOU’RE STANDING ON YOUR BATTLEGROUND
PREPARED TO STARE MY CATTLE DOWN
GUESS MY FENCE MUST NEED REPAIR
I DON’T SEE THEM ANYWHERE
BIG HAT NO CATTLE UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE
I’D JUST AS SOON SKEDADDLE AND BE ON MY MERRY WAY
YOU’RE STANDING ON YOUR BATTLEMENT
WONDERING WHERE MY CATTLE WENT
GUESS MY FENCE MUST NEED REPAIR
I DON’T SEE THEM ANYWHERE
BIG HAT NO CATTLE UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE
I’D JUST AS SOON SKEDADDLE AND BE ON MY MERRY WAY
BIG HAT NO CATTLE LIKE A SNAKE WITHOUT A RATTLE
I’LL MAKE MY STRIKE THEN TAKE A HIKE AND THAT’LL BE THE END