Toggle Menu

‘I’m an Old Cowhand,’ as Sung by George W. Bush

(With apologies to Johnny Mercer)

Calvin Trillin

March 18, 2004

(With apologies to Johnny Mercer)

I’m an old cowhand from the hinterland, Which an Eastern wuss wouldn’t understand. Ain’t a rich folks tax-cut I wouldn’t sign, But I don’t know no one who drinks white wine. How ’bout Kenneth Lay? Weren’t no friend of mine. Yippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay!

I’m a cowpoke, folks. Don’t eat artichokes. Burgers do me fine. Wash ’em down with Cokes. In my battle flight-suit I’ll strike a pose, But I got compassion, down to my toes. It’s for unborn babies and CEOs. Yippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay!

I’m a cowboy, guys. This is no disguise. I don’t flip or flop. I don’t agonize. Ain’t no bad guy goin’ I won’t bombard. Kerry’s soft on bad guys and I am hard– Toughest hombre ever hid in the Guard. Yippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay!

Calvin TrillinCalvin Trillin is The Nation’s “deadline poet.”


Latest from the nation