I used to ride a little old speckled roan. i told him lots of
Things i wouldn't have told at home.
I said to the speckled roan, said i, "i'm so lonesome i
Could die, but i ain't gonna stay lonesome very long."

I used to ride a little ole yellow dun. mending fences, rode him
In the rain and sun.
I said to the yellow dun, said i, "i'm gonna be rich or
Know the reason why. gonna take my money to town and find the
Fun."

And then i bought me a big old ropin' gray. roped for money and
I made it ev'ry day.
But i said to the ropin' gray, said i, "i sure do miss that
Prairie sky," and he let out laughin' and he surely knowed
The way.

I brought my money home and i brought it home to stay. couldn't
Have stayed in town, not another day.
I'm gonna live out under a prairie sky. gonna live out there
'till the day i die with the roan and the dun and the big old
Ropin' gray.