The band would play the anthem and
The clowns fell down in jest
All the people saw again
The winning of the west
Our stomachs full of nothing
And our hearts were full of hopes
As we buckled on our leggings
And we rosined up our ropes

And we started going down the road
In the spring of '74
If I had me another trade
I wouldn't ride them bulls no more
Since Charlie died I tried to forget
That day in old Cheyenne
Betty leave your lights on darlin'
I'm going to make it if I can

Cause it gets inside your blood
It gets inside your mind
The only way of life
There ain't no other kind
All my thoughts roll back to you
I hope you'll understand
Betty leave your lights on darlin'
Going to make it if I can
The place that's known as Cheyenne is called
The daddy of them all
The one our fathers sang about
At the round-ups in the fall
When Charlie drew that spinning bull
Lord everything went wrong
Got him in an ambulance
Left me here to sing this song

And I've kept right on a going
But I drink before I ride
That bottle brings me courage
I believe I'm damn near out of pride
I think I'd get me a factory job
If you'd help me make my stand
Betty leave your lights on darlin'
Going to make it if I can

Cause it gets inside your blood
It gets inside your mind
The only way of life
There ain't no other kind
All my thoughts roll back to you
I hope you'll understand
Betty leave your lights on darlin'
Going to make it if I can