A ranch is an area of landscape, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada, though there are ranches in other areas. People who own or operate a ranch are called stockgrowers or ranchers. Ranching is also a method used to raise less common livestock such as elk, American bison or even ostrich, emu, and alpacas.
Ranches generally consist of large areas, but may be of nearly any size. In the western United States, many ranches are a combination of privately owned land supplemented by grazing leases on land under the control of the federal Bureau of Land Management. If the ranch includes arable or irrigated land, the ranch may also engage in a limited amount of farming, raising crops for feeding the animals, such as hay and feed grains.
Ranches that cater exclusively to tourists are called guest ranches or, colloquially, "dude ranches." Most working ranches do not cater to guests, though they may allow private hunters or outfitters onto their property to hunt native wildlife. However, in recent years, a few struggling smaller operations have added some dude ranch features, such as horseback rides, cattle drives or guided hunting, in an attempt to bring in additional income. Ranching is part of the iconography of the "Wild West" as seen in Western movies and rodeos.
Down the drain pipe 'cross the yard and through the fence
I risked a whoopin' every time I went
'Cause white boys weren't allowed on the colored side of town
But I was proud to call that old black man my friend
He had a pillow by the bed he used to pray on
And a beat up old guitar he let me play on
And I knew where my fingers went from his greasy fingerprints
Yeah, he was passin' on what was handed down to him
And it soaked up all the blood and sweat and teardrops
And the beers he missed in smoky little bars
And sometimes that old man he comes alive in my hands
I feel the beating of his sad old broken heart
Just like there's a ghost in this guitar, a ghost in this guitar
Well, the night before he died he made me take it
Well he said, "You play it now, 'cause I gotta go"
And I can feel him in my fingers when I play it
'Cause sometimes I'm in control and sometimes I just sit back
And let him go, I sit back and let him go
And it soaked up all the blood and sweat and teardrops
And the beers he missed in smoky little bars
And sometimes that old man he comes alive in my hands
I feel the beating of his sad old broken heart
Just like there's a ghost in this guitar, a ghost in this guitar
I had a heck of a time gettin' into my house today
There was a big ass U-Haul trailer in my way
And she was headed for the car so I grabbed my old guitar
I got one more chance before she drives away
So Hank don't fail me now, 'cause you've always bailed me out
'Your cheatin' heart' could set that suitcase down
Give me one more song to whine that'll make her change her mind
'Cause she's walkin' out, Hank don't fail me now
Yeah, she was throwin' stuff and cussin' like a sailor at me
She was waving her arms around like she was fightin' bees
If I could yodel her a lick that just might do the trick
If I sang, "I saw the light" would she believe?
So Hank don't fail me now, 'cause you've always bailed me out
'Your cheatin' heart' could set that suitcase down
Give me one more song to whine that'll make her change her mind
'Cause she's walkin' out, Hank don't fail me now
Hank don't fail me now, 'cause you've always bailed me out
'Your cheatin' heart' could set that suitcase down
Just give me one more song to whine that'll make her change her mind
'Cause she's walkin' out, Hank don't fail me now
She's walkin' out
Hank don't fail me now
She's walkin' out
One, two, three, four
You spun your web back a Sunday or two
I ain't never met nobody like the likes of you
You got me preachin' the news
You turned down my road and decided to stay
And I took a shine to your hair and your hillbilly ways
Yeah and how you kiss on my face
I got a bone deep feelin'
You're the start of the good old days
Well I still remember you came by by trailer
With chicken and some homemade wine
The dogs go to barkin' when we get to sparkin'
We almost set the house on fire
Well I get a big heapin' helpin'
Of the stuff I get a hankerin' for
But honey your homespun love
Just keeps me comin' back for more, that's right
I like the flamingos you stuck in your yard
And I like the notions you stick in my head and my heart
Yeah and how you fix on my car
Well I reckon I?m lucky
You?re everything I need so far
And I still remember you came by by trailer
With chicken and some homemade wine
The dogs go to barkin' when we get to sparkin'
We almost set the house on fire
Well I get a big heapin' helpin'
Of the stuff I get a hankerin' for
But honey your homespun love
Just keeps me comin' back for more and more
Honey your homespun love
Just keeps me comin' back for more, yeah
And I heard the rumor that we're callin' it off
And we won't last too long
But I get the feelin' when I'm looking at you
Baby, they couldn't be more wrong
They've been sayin' it's a shaky romance
And they don't give the two of us too much of a chance
But if the Grand Canyon is just some ditch
Dorothy and Toto fought just some witch
And if babe Ruth was just some guy with a glove
Then ooh baby this is just some love
Ooh baby this is just some love
And I speak my mind baby, that's the truth
But you've got a temper too
So when they see us start to fuss and fight
Well I guess they think we're through
But if they're judgin' us by what they see
Then they don't have a clue about you and me
'Cause if the rocky mountains are just some hills
Niagara falls is just some water spills
And if Humphrey Bogart was just some tough
Then ooh baby this is just some love
Ooh baby this is just some love, yeah
If the Grand Canyon is just some ditch
Dorothy and Toto fought just some witch
And if babe Ruth was just some guy with a glove
Then ooh baby this is just some love
Ooh baby this is just some love
Ooh baby this is just some love
(Vernon Rust)
Well I ain't proud of what I'm about to do
All alone up here with you
With the picture of your man
Face down upon the night stand, so he can't see
And I don't like running all the red lights here
Every time the coast is clear
Any time you need my lovin'
You know I'll come running, faithfully
(Chorus)
Cause he stays so busy with his money
And you, you get so lonely when he's gone
And me, I'm just your temporary lover
'Til your blues are gone
I'm the man of the house whenever he ain't home
Now the statues on the side of that big gate
They're laughing as I drive away
And I can't keep from thinking
Are they laughing at your old man or at me
And the only part that I don't like to play
Is the part when I get up and go away
I find it mighty hard
Just keeping this old heart tucked away
Cause he stays...
(Repeat Chorus)
I'm the man of the house
I can feel your goodbye comin' like a storm up from the South
The rain'll splatter at the back door, the wind'll whistle 'round the house
So it's you and Howie Johnston somebody told me at the store
I guess I'd better get used to the idea of you not around anymore
And so, I'm doin' my best to prepare for the worst
And I'd better get use to the hunger and thirst
I gotta find me a potion to take for the pain
And though you've got to lose is my last name
I know he's cute and he's got money, I ain't no handsome fancy Dan
In a way it's sad and kinda funny, you'll be okay and I'll be damned
So I best be gettin' ready for the bitter nights alone
Sleepin' on the couch wake up starting out, livin' life on my own
And so, I'm doin' my best to prepare for the worst
And I'd better get use to the hunger and thirst
You gotta find me a potion to take for the pain
And though you've got to lose is my last name
Well, it was 'bout five till five on a Friday
We were all gettin' ready to go
The boss man started screamin'
His veins began to show
He said you and you come with me
'Cause you're gonna have to stay
My heart was thumpin', I was jumpin'
And I had to get away
Some days you gotta dance
Live it up when you get the chance
'Cause when the world doesn't make no sense
And you're feelin' just a little too tense
You gotta loosen up those chains and dance
Well, I was talkin' to my baby
Over a small glass of tea
She asked the loaded question
She said how do you feel about me?
Well, my mind was racin', I was pacin'
But the words, they never would come
And there was only one thing
Left to do I feel it comin' on
Some days you gotta dance
Live it up when you get the chance
'Cause when the world doesn't make no sense
And you're feelin' just a little too tense
Gotta loosen up those chains and dance, come on
Some days you gotta dance
Live it up when you get the chance
'Cause when the world doesn't make no sense
And you're feelin' just a little too tense
You gotta loosen up those chains and dance, ooh, yeah
You gotta loosen up those chains and dance, dance
You know the cards are stacked against this
As we surrender our defenses
And I've torn down all my fences just for you
And you feel it too
What do we do?
Do we run or see it through?
The longer we're together
It just keeps gettin' better
And you hide your little love letters
Around the house for me
And it's plain to see
That you'll always be, all I'll ever need
And the webs we spun, wove into one
And left us tangled up in love
You squeeze my hand, I understand
About a woman and a man
I love the way, you make me feel
You got me tangled up in love
The webs we spun, wove into one
Left us tangled up in love
You squeeze my hand, I understand
About a woman and a man
And I love the way, you make me feel
You got me tangled up in love
(Tangled up, tangled up)
You got me tangled up in love
(Tangled up, you got me tangled up)
(Tangled up, tangled up)
(Tangled up, you got me tangled up)
You've got me tangled up in love
(Tangled up, tangled up)
You got me tangled up in love
(Tangled up, you got me tangled up)
(Tangled up, tangled up)
(Tangled up, you got me tangled up)
Will I'm tangled up in love
Tangled up, tangled up
Tangled up, you got me tangled up
Tangled up, tangled up
Tangled up, you got me tangled up
Tangled up, tangled up
It's killin? me to write the word goodbye
I've wadded up and tossed a thousand tries
We both know the reason there ain't nothing to explain
But I know that my leavin? will spare us both the pain
Desiree
I can?t hold you any longer
Desiree
You love his money more than me
And the taxi?s at the gate I guess all that?s left to say
Is in teardrops at the bottom of the page
I love you Desiree
Well it?d be easier to leave if I were mad
But it?s hard to lose the best you?ll ever have
And to write this note to you was the hardest thing to do
But not as hard as bein? a poor boy who can?t afford a girl like you
Desiree
I can?t hold you any longer
Desiree
You love his money more than me
And the taxi?s at the gate I guess all that?s left to say
Is in teardrops at the bottom of the page
God, I love you
Desiree
I can?t hold you any longer
Desiree
You love his money more than me
And the taxi?s at the gate I guess all that?s left to say
Is in teardrops at the bottom of the page
I love you Desiree, god, I love you
I just can?t take it anymore
I won?t be around for your goodbye
I won?t be around for your goodbye
You love his money more than me
I won?t be around for your goodbye
You love his money more than me
I won?t be around for your goodbye
Oh you love his money, you love it more than me
I won?t be around for your goodbye
I was just a fool who couldn't see
I won?t be around for your goodbye
I'm on a red dirt road windin' up to a sky of blue
And I left the blacktop back about a mile or two
No more sittin' at home leave the TV and the telephone far behind
This life is killin' us all and back roads are lookin' mighty fine
Oh, and
Freedom's finally mine
I ain't takin' anymore
Yeah freedom's finally mine, it's finally mine
(I ain't takin' anymore)
Oh, freedom's finally mine
I'd like to throw out this cellular and kick off these shop-shined shoes
Leave the kids at your mama's and take off to Timbuktu
So give me two sets of mud-grip tracks, leadin' off to way out back o' yonder
There's no mountain I can't climb to satisfy this need of mine to wander
Oh, 'cause
Freedom's finally mine
(I ain't takin' anymore)
Yeah freedom's finally mine, it's finally mine
(I ain't takin' anymore)
Oh, freedom's finally mine
There's no desert I can't cross
No river too wide
I can do what I want now
'Cause freedom's finally mine yeah
Oh freedom
Freedom's finally mine
(I ain't takin' anymore)
Yeah freedom's finally mine, it's finally mine
(I ain't takin' anymore)
Oh, freedom's finally mine
Yes mine
It's finally mine
Yeah it's mine
Oh give it to me
Runnin' from the rate race
Just as fast as I can
Take off my tie so I can breathe
Me, I'm going where the fresh air's blowin'
Take a little walk in the country with me
Walk in the country with me
Watch the sun sinkin' down on the trees
It's gonna do us some good to get down in the woods
Take a little walk in the country with me
I'm so sick of all them TV shows
I need some dirt road under my feet
C'mon let's point our toes where the red fern grows
Take a little walk in the country with me
Come on now
Walk in the country with me
Watch the sun sinkin' down on the trees
It's gonna do us some good to get down in the woods
Take a little walk in the country with me
Walkin' the country
Oh bless my soul
Just gimme that country road
Come on now
Walk in the country with me
Watch the sun sinkin' down on the trees
It's gonna do us some good to get down in the woods
Take a little walk in the country with me
Take a little walk in the country with me
Come on now baby
Take a little walk in the country with me