Deep water, ice and snow
A thousand cattle, we had to go
To get the cattle to the other side
You bet your life we had to ride
The railroad was but a mile away
But some men and horses would die that day
We held the herd on a ridge close by
As the north wind blew the snowflakes by
We were all chilled our bodies through
But from cold or fear, nobody knew
We lit us a smoke and watched her blow
Now slack your cinches, we gotta go
Deep water, ice and snow
With a thousand cattle we had to go
I pointed the men and we hit her fast
But our luck by now was a fadin' fast
That man was a talkin' from down below
As my horse and I was next to go
My horse turned over and I floated free
But the waves was so high, I couldn't see
Then my horse swam by and I grabbed his tail
He dragged me outa that icy hell
Deep water, ice and snow
And with a thousand cattle we had to go
I'll never forget that terrible day
When strong men cried and I heard some pray
We crossed the cattle to the other side
Just to save a vain man's pride
The hell I've seen was mighty cold
The other kind was worse or so I'm told
But I hope when I have to go
It ain't in deep water, ice or snow
Deep water, ice and snow
With a thousand cattle we had to go
To get the cattle to the other side
You bet your life we had to ride