Another Cowboy Rides Off Into The Sunset Poem by Cowboy Ron Williams

'This is the last cowboy song,
the end of a hundred year waltz,
The voices sound sad as they're singin' along;
another piece of America's lost.'

These are the words of Ed Bruce,
who also penned the words
to that song made famous by Willie Nelson,
'Mammas, don't let your babies
grow up to be cowboys.'

Ed was born in Arkansas in 1939, but wrote
and sang several songs about Texas,
including one that Tanya Tucker took
to number five on the country charts,
called 'Texas when I Die':

'When I die, I may not go to heaven;
I don't know if they let cowboys in.
If they don't, just let me go to Texas;
Texas is as close as I've been.'

Usually his songs did better when
recorded by other people, but in 1982
Ed's recording of 'You're the Best Break
this old Heart Ever Had' hit number one.

Ed was also involved in television.
He was the host of two different shows,
and also was the co-star with James Garner
on the 1981-82 season of 'Bret Maverick'.

I have just found out that Ed Bruce died
one week ago today. Farewell, fellow cowboy.
One more of my heroes has bitten the dust.
Another piece of America's lost.