A Cowboy and His Songs

Intended for anyone interested in music, folklore, history, and the vanishing cowboy way of life, this book features 29 of the most iconic cowboy songs of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, each with musical transcriptions plus comprehensive analytical and background information about their melodies and lyrics. The songs were performed by a genuine old-fashioned cowboy who was also an amateur musician with an exceptional bass voice and a prodigious memory for tunes and words. Hank Meredith (1918-1994) worked as a cowpuncher on cattle ranches and roundups in the Four Corners states (Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah) on and off between 1945 and 1985, following his tour of duty as a cavalry soldier in the US Army during World War II. As an accomplished cornetist in school bands and as a chorister in school choral groups, Hank’s innate musicianship is evident in these, his favourite songs of the cowboy. Using his vast repertoire, he took great pleasure in singing a variety of songs of all types, which were enjoyed by everyone within earshot. A traditional cowboy, Hank was also a philosopher, a humorist, a poet, a cartoonist, a storyteller, a wordsmith, and a gifted teacher. Hank Meredith’s authentic and musically satisfying interpretations of cowboy songs provide a legacy that will define the genre for future generations.