They got a damned ole four lane highway
Where I used to ride ole paint
Where them open spaces used to be
Now you know they ain't
They built a Holiday Inn up around the bend
Where my cattle used to graze
And it's hard to be a cowboy these days

They got some ole silly law that says
I can't tote my gun
Hell, I ain't gonna shoot nobody
I just wear it around for fun
I guess I'm too old and ornery
To even change my ways
And it's hard to be a cowboy these days

They got girls in New York City
That would cost you a whole week's pay
But them cowgirls in my younger days
Just gave their love away

They got shoppin' malls and a lot of balls
Askin' more for fuel
My horse don't run on gasoline
And I ain't no crazy fool
Someday them wells will all run dry
But 'til then I'm just amazed
And it's hard to be a cowboy these days
Yeah, they got girls in New York City
That would cost you a whole week's pay
But them cowgirls in my younger days
Just gave their love away

They got pills to take you higher
Pills to take you low
Shoot, we used to drink pure ole cactus juice
And just go where we wanna go
Now they disco dance down on the ranch
And the cowpokes think they're gay
And it's hard to be a cowboy these days
Ain't hard to be a cowboy these days