Texans are proud of their heritage and state
Texans are known throughout the world for being proud of their heritage and their state.
In fact, there have been times when various Texas patriots have been accused of being a little bit windy or maybe just downright braggarts!
Well, I ask you, have you ever thought about how many song titles, especially country and western song titles, have the word “Texas” in them? And how about famous people, so many times they are either Texans by birth or Texans by choice.
Like the feller said, “I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here just as quick as I could!”
I am talking about actors and actresses, scientists, authors, musicians, outlaws, and presidents! And that’s just for starters. No wonder folks like to get all ”swole up” about this great state. In the cowboy poetry venue, I have the opportunity to meet a lot of good cowboy and cowgirl poets, and no, they are not all from Texas. But all of them tend to do a lot of Texas poems!
This bit of Texas history involves a very “Texas” poem that was written by a relatively newcomer on the Texas scene.
Larry Chittenden was born in Montclair, New Jersey and at the age of 21, borrowed fifty dollars and made his way to Texas as a traveling dry goods salesman. He wrote articles that he sent back to New York papers to help pay his way.
In 1884 he visited Jones County and eventually bought a ranch in partnership with his uncle. The ranch was located 7 miles northwest of Anson at the foot of Skinout Mountain.
He had started writing poetry, and his best- known poem, “The Cowboy’s Christmas Ball”, was published in the Anson Texas Western in 1890.
Jones County citizens from Anson used the contents of this poem to produce a show called the Cowboy’s Christmas Ball, and the poem has been reenacted annually since. The show was initiated by M.G. Rhoads at his Star Hotel, and it continues to be a traditional event. For the last twenty years,
Michael Martin Murphy has been the star attraction for the show that is now held in the Historic Pioneer Hall in Anson where house rules state: Dresses always required for Ladies on the Dance Floor but No Split Skirts and no Hats Allowed on the Dance Floor. In Anson, Texas, The Texas Cowboys Christmas Ball is a colorful event for the whole family. It is a re-enactment of a party that was originally held in 1885 at the Star Hotel in Anson.
This lively gaited sworray where Windy Bill called square dances in 1885, brings a nostalgic piece of early Texas history back to life each December in this quiet little ranching community .
I had the honor of reciting this poem and it was included on a Christmas CD produced by Margo Metegrano, Managing Editor of Cowboypoetry.com. She was interested in someone reciting Larry Chittenden’s poem, “The Cowboy’s Christmas Ball,” and she said that she would not think of asking anyone but a Texan to do this poem. This poem is long and has a lot to say, but here is an excerpt from that poem which is one of my favorite parts that starts where Windy Bill begins to call the square dance.
The “wimmin folks” looked lovely-the boys looked kinder treed,
Till their leader commenced yellin’: “Whoa! fellers, let’s stampede,”
And the music started sighin’, an’ awailin’ through the hall
As a kind of introduction to “The Cowboys’ Christmas Ball.”
When he commenced to holler, “Now, fellers stake your pen!
“Lock horns to all them heifers, an’ russle ‘em like men.
“Salute your lovely critters; now swing an’ let ‘em go,
“Climb the grape vine ‘round ‘em—all hands do-ce-do!”
The boys were tolerable skittish, the ladies powerful neat,
That old bass viol’s music just got there with both feet!
That wailin’, frisky fiddle, I never shall forget;
And Windy kept a-singin’—I think I hear him yet—
The dust rose fast an’ furious; we all just galloped ‘round,
Till the scenery got so giddy that T Bar Dick was downed.
We buckled to our partners, an’ told ‘em to hold on,
Then shook our hoofs like lightning, until the early dawn.
McAllister ain’t nowhere: when Windy leads the show,
I’ve seen ‘em both in harness, and so I sorter know—
Oh, Bill, I sha’n’t forget you, and I’ll oftentimes recall,
That lively gaited sworray—”The Cowboys’ Christmas Ball.” Larry Chittenden -- 1890
I thought this would be a good way to start the Christmas Season. My Ol’ Daddy always said, “ You can drag a feller jest a kickin’ an’ a clawin’ out of Texas, but you cain’t never count on him stayin’ gone!” And I expect most of them would want to be back in Anson, Texas in time for the Cowboy’s Christmas Ball!
Merry Christmas Season!
Join us at First Baptist Church Marlin this Sunday morning.
God bless each of you and God Bless America!