The sun sets fire to an early morning sky
As I step out on the front porch pouring coffee off the side.
Already waiting, the old man shakes his head
Says "time is always wasted burnin' daylight in the bed."
I catch him grinning shortly when I turn and shut the gate.
Life goes on 'till sundown
Here on the southern plains.
I run his cattle for him 'round this time of year.
He's too old to handle calfin' and too young to quit out here.
We try to hang on as it all just subdivides
Our range is getting smaller and the price is way too high.
His blood flows through the longhorn and the dust runs in his veins
So it's been and always be
Here on the southern plains.
Chorus:
And it just goes on forever like the mesquite on the rise.
Nothing there to hold you but the hot and windy nights.
The coyote and the cowboy still praying for the rain.
Livin' and a dyin'
Here on the southern plains.
Way back in high school in this very pickup truck,
On that very spot she kissed me with a big red moon above.
Wide open land for lovers, we had it all to dream
Until the fated day she told me her plans were moving east.
On the side of that cendero lies a ring among the sage.
My first love and heartache
Was here on the southern plains.
(chorus)
So I 'm raisin' me a family in a time we've all forgot.
Now the history is in museums and under crowded parking lots.
We're holding on to freedom like two fadin' renegades.
Fightin' pride with hunger to our sad and early graves.
And waiting for the sunsets...here on the southern plains.
(chorus)