Gifford MacShane, Author

Historical Fiction with Romance & a Dash of Celtic Mysticism

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Cowboy Music

Western Trivia: A Cowboy and his Outfit

March 31, 2020January 21, 2023 / Gifford MacShane / Leave a comment

“I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy …” These words from Streets of Laredo are not as transparent as they may seem to be. Our modern interpretation of “outfit” refers basically to the clothes we wear, and can be stretched to include belt, shoes, hat, and handbag. But would clothes distinguish a … Continue reading Western Trivia: A Cowboy and his Outfit

LORENA: A Song of the Civil War

June 5, 2018August 7, 2020 / Gifford MacShane / Leave a comment

This song was actually written in 1857 by H. D. Webster & J. P. Webster and, for obvious reasons, became popular with the men on both sides of the Civil War, after which it became a staple of the Old West. You can hear a traditional interpretation by John Hartford with excellent banjo accompaniment here. … Continue reading LORENA: A Song of the Civil War

THE NIGHT HERDING SONG, A Cowboy Tune

April 27, 2018August 7, 2020 / Gifford MacShane / Leave a comment

Harry Stephens, an American cowboy, wrote this song circa 1890, while he was herding wild horses in Canada. While the rest slept, one or two unlucky cowboys always had to stand guard overnight. Called the “night hawk”, this job was one of the worst a cowboy could draw, and they believed the sound of music … Continue reading THE NIGHT HERDING SONG, A Cowboy Tune

THE COWBOY’S DREAM: A Cowboy Tune

February 15, 2016August 7, 2020 / Gifford MacShane / Leave a comment

A common theme in cowboy songs is the hope of heaven. This particular song is sung to a Scottish air virtually everyone is familiar with: My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean. A very early (1935) and abbreviated recording of the song by The Sons of the Pioneers features Roy Rogers on vocals and yodel. It … Continue reading THE COWBOY’S DREAM: A Cowboy Tune

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