Today’s post was written by Paul.
As promised, here’s a story song in which no one dies and nothing sad happens. I learned “Skyball Paint” from my childhood heroes Riders in the Sky. They learned it from The Sons of the Pioneers.
I used to sing this song to my nephews, Ben and Mark, when they were little. Ben thought it was really funny that the sheriff passed a counterfeit dollar and that the speaker knowingly took it without complaint (knowing that the Sheriff was still getting the worse end of the deal). He would always laugh when I sang that part.
“Skyball Paint” was written by Bob Nolan. I’m pretty sure that I did a song for Old Timey Tuesdays a while back that was also written by Nolan, but I can’t remember what it was. It may have been “Cool Water.”
Dan Blocker (who played Hoss on Bonanza) recorded and released Skyball Paint in 1962. Riders in the Sky released it in 1979. It appears that the Sons of the Pioneers released it way back in 1935!
Lyrics are below.
Now Skyball Paint was a devil′s saint; His eyes was a fiery red. Good men have tried this horse to ride, But all of them are dead. Now, I won’t brag, but I rode this nag Till his blood began to boil, Then I hit the ground and I ate three pounds Of good old western soil.
chorus Singin′ hi ho, whoopie ti-yo Ride him high and down you go. Sons of the western soil… Sons of the western soil…
Well, I swore by heck, I’d break his neck For the jolt he gave my pride (I remember that) I would slip my noose on the old cayuse And once more took a ride. Turned around, pretty soon I found His head where his tail should be So I said, “Says, I, perhaps he’s shy Or just don′t care for me.”
chorus Singin′ hi ho, whoopie ti-yo Ride him high and down you go. Sons of the western soil… Sons of the western soil…
In town, one day I chanced to stray Upon old Sheriff Jim. For a hoop and a holler And a counterfeit dollar, I sold that nag to him, But when he plants the seat of his pants On Skyball’s leather chair, I′ll bet four bits when Skyball quits, Old Jim will not be there!
chorus Singin’ hi ho, whoopie ti-yo Ride him high and down you go. Sons of the western soil… Sons of the western soil… Sons of the western soil…
Hope you enjoyed this story song!
Paul
Original singles released on Spotify.
That is a fun toe tapping song! Thanks for sharing it with us!
loved the song!
Really enjoyed hearing this old song again. My Dad used to sing it to me when I was 5 or 6 years old. Thanks for the memories…
Well, this is a first for me. Sure never heard this one before, but I can see where your nephews would love it Thanks for sharing!
Ride on, Ranger Doug! Sons of the Pioneers and Riders in the Sky are among my favorite recording artists. Asleep at the Wheel isn’t bad either.
I did enjoy the song; history, lyrics and audio each. I guess I’m kinda partial to “characters”, human or animal, that are just themselves first, last and all the time. I don’t have to have a dramatics story with a hero. A jughead horse is as individual as a man. Still around since 1935, proves it’s a good one.
I heard Skyball Paint was still hanging around somewhere on the bottom shelf in the petfood store. Gotcha!
Short and sweet! Like ’em that way.
Now that’s a fun song! I’ve never heard Skyball Paint before. It sounds like something Dan Blocker would sing. Thanks for sharing it and have a wonderful Sunday!
A fun way to start the day Paul. 🙂 I don’t recall this song, but I do remember my family looking forward to watching Bonanza each week.
Enjoyed today’s post and song. It reminded me of old tv westerns- Sky King, Roy Rodgers.
I watched westerns on Saturday morning instead of cartoons.
Pure fun. I’d never heard Skyball Paint, and also never knew that Dan Blocker sang anything.
Thanks, Paul!
Hadn’t heard that one before. That’s a fun one, I enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing it with us.
I enjoyed your song Paul, I ordered me a set of those guitar strings, Sweetwater Music charged me $17, I didn’t have no way to get nowhere to get any I had to order, thank you and God bless you Paul