Losin' Control of the Reins | to pdf >>
(song lyrics)
by Arthur Schlosser, MD, a.k.a. Dean Dobbins


He used to sit tall in the saddle.
Now he sits in an old rockin' chair.
While the kids fight a cowboy and Indian battle,
Grandpa just sits and stares.
He used to ride 'em and rope 'em.
He could wrestle a steer with his hands.
Now the doc says, "No drinkin' or smokin'.
Better get all the rest that you can."

He's losin' control of the reins,
Saddled with old aches and pains.
I wish that you could have seen him back when
Cowboys all called him a man among men.
No horse was too tough to tame.
Times were rough, but he'd never complain.
And now faded memories are all that remain.
He's losin' control of the reins.

This mornin', we all sat in silence
When the doc came to see him again.
He said, "His heart's given out.
Your pa's livin' out his last days.
I just can't tell you when."
Now he sits on the porch in the twilight.
He pats his old dog on the head.
And I say, "Daddy, it's night time.
I guess it's high time
We get this old cowboy to bed."

He's losin' control of the reins,
Saddled with old aches and pains.
I wish that you could have seen him back when
Cowboys all called him a man among men.
No horse was too tough to tame.
Times were rough, but he'd never complain.
And now faded memories are all that remain.
He's losin' control of the reins.

It's natural, I know
But it's sad just the same to see him
Losin' control of the reins.