In a lobby in a big hotel in New York town one day
Set a bunch of fellers tellin' yarns, to pass the time away
They talked of places that they'd been and differ'nt sights they'd seen
Some of 'em praised Chicago town and others New Orleans
In a corner in an old armchair set a man whose hair was gray
He would listen eagerly to what they had to say
They asked him where he'd like to be and his dear old voice did ring
I'd like to be in Texas for the roundup in the spring
I see the cattle grazin' o'er the hills of early morn
I can see the campfire smokin' at the breakin' of the dawn
I hear the broncos neighin', hear the cowboys sing
Oh I'd like to be in Texas for the roundup in the spring
They all set still and listened every word he had to say
They knew the old man sittin' there had once been young and gay
They asked him for a story of his life out on the plain
He slowly removed his hat and quietly began
Well I've seen 'em stampede o'er the hills till you'd think they'd never stop
Seen 'em run for miles and miles until their leaders drop
I was foreman of a cow ranch, that's the callin' of a king
I'd like to be in Texas for the roundup in the spring
I see the cattle grazin' o'er the hills of early morn
I can see the campfire smokin' at the breakin' of the dawn
I hear the broncos neighin', hear the cowboys sing
Oh I'd like to be in Texas for the roundup in the spring
There's a grave in sunny Texas where Josie Bridwell sleeps
There's a grove of leafy cottonwoods her constant vigil keeps
In my heart's recollection of that long long bygone day
We rode the range together like two skippin' kids at play
Her gentle voice it calls me in the watches of the night
I hear her laughter freshenin' the dew of early light
I was foreman of a cow ranch, that's the callin' of a king
I'd like to be in Texas for the roundup in the spring
Oh I see the cattle grazin' o'er the hills of early morn
I can see the campfire smokin' at the breakin' of the dawn
Oh I hear the broncos neighin', hear the cowboys sing
Oh I'd like to be in Texas for the roundup in the spring.