'I'm an Old Cowhand,' as Sung by George W. Bush

deadline poet

By Calvin Trillin

This article appeared in the April 5, 2004 edition of The Nation.

March 18, 2004

(With apologies to Johnny Mercer)

I'm an old cowhand from the hinterland,
Which an Eastern wuss wouldn't understand.
Ain't a rich folks tax-cut I wouldn't sign,
But I don't know no one who drinks white wine.
How 'bout Kenneth Lay? Weren't no friend of mine.
Yippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay!

I'm a cowpoke, folks. Don't eat artichokes.
Burgers do me fine. Wash 'em down with Cokes.
In my battle flight-suit I'll strike a pose,
But I got compassion, down to my toes.
It's for unborn babies and CEOs.
Yippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay!

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About Calvin Trillin

Calvin Trillin is The Nation's "deadline poet." He has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1963 and has written the syndicated weekly column "Uncivil Liberties" since 1986. He has authored many, many books, including Tepper's Not Going Out and Deadline Poet: My Life as a Doggerelist. more...
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