Song: The Gift
Sung by: Ian Tyson
CD: Cowboyography
Written by: Ian Tyson
Verse 1.
In old St. Louis over in Missouri
The Mighty Mississippi it rolls and flows
A son was born to Mary Russell
And it starts the legend every cowboy knows
Verse 2.
Young kid Russell he was born to wander
Ever westward he was bound to roam
Just a kid of sixteen in 1880
Up in wild Montana he found his home
Chorus:
God made Montana for the wild man
For the Peigon and Sioux and Crow
But He saved his greatest gift for Charlie
Said get her all down before she goes---Charlie
You gotta get her all down cause she's bound to go
Verse 3.
God hung the stars over Judith Basin
God put the magic in yound Charlie's hand
All was seen and all remembered
Every shining mountain every longhorn brand
Verse 4.
He could paint the light on horsehide shining
Great passing herds of the buffalo
And a cowcamp cold on a rainy morning
And the twisting wrist of the Houlihan throw
Repeat Chorus:
Verse 5.
When the Lord called Charlie to His home up yonder
He said Kid Russell I got a job for you
You're in charge of sunsets in old Montana
Cause I can't paint them quite as good as you
And when you're done---we'll go out and have a few
And Nancy Russell will make sure it's just two
Repeat Chorus: