Songs of the Cattle Trail and Cow Camp · Chapter
The Cowboys’ Ball explained
A lively, rhythmic poem celebrating the energy and camaraderie of a cowboy dance, with vivid descriptions of dancing, drinking, and socializing under the stars.
What happens
A lively, rhythmic poem celebrating the energy and camaraderie of a cowboy dance, with vivid descriptions of dancing, drinking, and socializing under the stars.
Themes in this chapter
Community and Camaraderie
The poem celebrates the collective joy and unity of cowboys dancing, drinking, and socializing together.
Characters to notice
- Uncle Ed
Mentioned as getting red from too many dippers of drink, needing to be hobbled.
- Larry Chittenden
Addressed in the exclamation 'Larry! would you watch his wings a-floppin'.'
- Henry Herbert Knibbs
Author of the poem, credited at the end.
Key passages
“Yip! Yip! Yip! Yip! tunin’ up the fiddle ; You an’ take yo’r pardner there, standin’ by the wall!”
The fiddle is being tuned with excitement, and you should choose your dance partner who is waiting by the wall.
Opening call to dance at the cowboy ball.
“Big feet, little feet, all the feet a-clickin’; Everybody happy an’ the goose a-hangin’ high;”
All sizes of feet are tapping and clicking; everyone is joyful and the party is in full swing.
Describes the energetic and happy atmosphere of the dance.
“Uncle Ed’s gettin’ red—had too many dippers; Better get him hobbled or he’ll break his leg!”
Uncle Ed is flushed from drinking too much; someone should restrain him before he hurts himself.
Humorous warning about a drunken reveler.
“Bronc, mam? No, mam! Gentle as a kitten! Here, boy! Shake a hand! Now, mam, you can see;”
Is that horse a bronco? No, ma'am, it's as gentle as a kitten! Come here, boy, shake hands! Now you can see for yourself.
A cowboy reassures a lady about his horse's temperament.