[Verse 1] He was raised on the broken plains, a bull rider in a high school football town Beat up boots and wrangler jeans, an old hat that he wore like a crown Thought he was bulletproof and ten feet tall, raising all kinds of holy hell Well, life and rodeo were dancing toe to toe, that cold march night he fell [Chorus] Down goes the cowboy, but he won't stay there long Some people said, he'll wind up dead, he can't be that strong Well he does what he does, because its in his blood and way out of his hands Down goes the cowboy, but he'll get back up again [Verse 2] He drew a bronc, named Little Joe, lucky number 13 And after 4 jumps, Joe rocked forward, and cowboy shifted back with his feet Then he hit head first, in the Wyoming dirt, stared up at the sky on his back Then Merritt ran over, said are you alright? as his voice started to crack... And we said.. [Chorus] The doctor said to walk again, boy you don't stand a chance But doc didn't know who cowboy was, and he and God had different plans [Chorus] Down goes the cowboy... he's gonna ride again