# The Ol’ Cow Hawse explained — Songs of the Cattle Trail and Cow Camp

> Chapter companion for Songs of the Cattle Trail and Cow Camp by John A. Lomax.

## What happens

A cowboy poet praises the old cow horse as the most reliable, faithful, and enduring mount for range work, contrasting it with fancy, high-bred steeds. He expresses a wish to ride such a horse in the afterlife.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and the Landscape

The poem celebrates the rugged landscape of the range and the horse that navigates it tirelessly.

### Solitude and Reflection

The speaker reflects on peace and quiet, and the hope for a restful afterlife on the range.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The speaker who extols the virtues of the old cow horse and imagines riding it in heaven.

## Key lines

> But fer one that never tires; one that’s faithful, tried and true; One that allus is a 'stayer' when you want to slam him through, There is but one breed o’ critters that I ever came across That will allus stand the racket: 'tis the Ol’ Cow Hawse

For a horse that never tires, is faithful and reliable, and can push through when needed, the only breed that fits is the old cow horse.

_The narrator emphasizes the cow horse's dependability and endurance._

> When my soul seeks peace and quiet on the home ranch of the blest, Where no storms or stampedes bother, an’ the trails are trails o’ rest

When I long for peace in heaven, where there are no storms or stampedes and the trails are restful.

_The narrator imagines a peaceful afterlife on a heavenly ranch._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/songs_of_the_cattle_trail_and_cow_camp_se/chapters/the-ol-cow-hawse
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/songs_of_the_cattle_trail_and_cow_camp_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/songs_of_the_cattle_trail_and_cow_camp_se/chapters