Word went out of some cowboys of highest renown;
Two shows at the Arts Center--the signs had it right--
"Sold Out" they proclaimed, procrastinators take flight;
Youngsters appeared at seven for 'Rootin', Tootin' Cowboys'
At nine it was mostly the older crowd and a touch less noise.
Both shows were fine in the best Riders style,
Two hours forty-five of the best by a mile;
The last road show of the year, they happily would proclaim
Before loadin' up the bus and for Nashville take aim;
The Mercantile had surprises, for us anyway,
New bumper stickers and a Riders 'n Joey photo on display.
We played Pony Express with a cybermail or two
And for that Woody offered a great big thank you!
The Riders on stage were as spectacular as ever,
With the hats, sequins, fringe, embroidery, way more than just clever
And while some might conclude that it’s all a bit much
And that real cowboys have never seen such;
Long-time fans know for sure that the point is moot:
The Riders are singin' cowboys from brim to boot.
On this particular day they could not resist, all for free--
A political zinger on Washington, DC.
While high crimes and misdemeanor may abound in Carrboro
Too Slim made it abundantly clear--and he was quite thorough--
That with all the temptations of a small town so smug,
Nothing would corrupt the unimpeachable Ranger Doug.
Stage props as in the old west were sparse and forlorn
Even the cellophane campfire seemed ever so slightly torn
But a string of cactus-shaped lights gleamed quite brightly
And another of stars, less so only slightly.
As you might suppose in this great time of year
Christmas songs abounded, and that was quite clear:
Ridin' Home on Christmas Eve is one of the best we insist,
And Sidemeat in chasing that Christmas Goose did persist.
The winning question for an eight-track in show number Two:
Said the kid, Ever get in any really bad fights, do you?
Finely-shaped songs and riveting harmony abounded
The yodels, the timing, and instrumentation astounded.
Woody Paul's fiddle ranged from dazzling to divine,
And Joey on his accordian was mightily sublime.
Too Slim maintained his comedic edge throughout
And Ranger Doug's plush yodels are still the best without doubt.
It was cold and rainy in Carrboro this night
But folks left with a warmth the show made just right
And you could almost hear the old refrain,
Happy Christmas to all,
And to all a good-night!
All photos and material © 1998 by contributing cyberpal.
Cyberpals