On the Double Circle Range where the gra** it grows green
The cattle are wild and the broncos are mean
The calves all get bigger as the days go by
You got to keep a-rimming, boys, root hog or die
If you ride them out of horses then you've got to keep them shod
You can't shoe them standing then you lay them on the sod
You can tack the iron on 'em if you got a mind to try
You better get busy, boys, root hog or die
In the morning after breakfast about daylight
You throw your saddle on your horse and pull your cinches tight
Now your bronco may jump crooked or he may jump high
But we all got to ride 'em, boys, root hog or die
Oh, the hills are rough and rocky but we got to make the drive
When you start a bunch of cattle, boys, you better come alive
If you ever get a maverick you better catch him on the fly
You better take to it, boys, root hog or die
When the long day is over you'll be glad to see the chief
When a pot of black coffee got another full of beef
Some sour dough biscuits to take the place of pie
When he hollers, "Come and git it, boys", root hog or die
In the middle of the night it is sometimes awful hard
To leave your warm blankets when you're called on guard
You pa** the weary moments while the stars are in the sky
Humming to the cattle, boys, root hog or die
Sometimes dreadful stormy, sometimes pretty clear
You might work a month or you might work a year
But you can make a winning if you'll come alive and try
For the whole world over, boys, root hog or die