Songs of the Cattle Trail and Cow Camp · Chapter
When Bob Got Throwed explained
A humorous poem about a cowboy who gleefully watches his friend Bob get thrown from a bronco, only to later be thrown himself and face Bob's mocking laughter and rough retaliation.
What happens
A humorous poem about a cowboy who gleefully watches his friend Bob get thrown from a bronco, only to later be thrown himself and face Bob's mocking laughter and rough retaliation.
Themes in this chapter
Community and Camaraderie
The poem depicts the rough, mocking camaraderie between cowboys, where laughter at a friend's misfortune is a form of bonding.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator who laughs at Bob's fall and later gets thrown himself.
- Boastful Bill
Referenced as 'Bob' in the poem, the friend who gets thrown and later retaliates.
Key passages
“That time when Bob got throwed I thought I sure would bust. I like to died a-laffin’ To see him chewin’ dust.”
When Bob was thrown from his horse, I laughed so hard I thought I would burst.
The narrator's initial reaction to Bob's fall.
“So I was still a-howlin’ When Bob, he got up lame; He seen his horse had run clean off And so for me he came.”
I was still laughing when Bob got up, limping, and came after me because his horse had run away.
Bob's retaliation after being thrown.