Margie Roberts - Trick Rider
Channel: Tallgrass Express String Band
Date: 2020-05-23

One of the most remarkable women of the Flint Hills, Margie Roberts (1916-1982) was an incredible athlete and horsewoman who entertained crowds across the U.S. with her skill and daring feats.   LYRICS:
    My name is Margie Roberts and I ride the rodeo 
I grew up in the Flint Hills - The horse is what I know 
My dad would buy the wild ones; us kids would get ‘em rode 
We trained ‘em every day ‘til he’d get another load 
    While the horses jumped and twisted, I learned to keep my balance 
Those childhood days of broncos - helped me hone my talents 
Soon the neighbors came to watch us - that’s how it all began 
The Flint Hills Rodeo was born - with the wild Roberts clan 
    Soon I joined a Wild West Show - trick riding was my game 
The folks would come to see me - if the show bill had my name 
My special trick was standing - leaning forward in my “Dive” 
Held up by the wind and speed - I’d race around the side 
       The rhythm of a horse’s lope - comes more easily 
       Than walkin’ on the ground - on these legs God gave to me 
       I’d rather be on horseback - than any other place 
       Even when I’m on a bronco - there’s a smile on my face 
   My horse and I would practice - all day in the arena 
I’d leap and do the double vault - like a horseback ballerina 
Side hang from the saddle - like the Indians used to ride 
Or lean clear back behind the tail - and do the backward drag 
   I’d cross under the belly - while my horse would gallop ‘round 
The crowds would gasp and wonder - how I never hit the ground 
In western shows and circuses - even Madison Square Garden, 
I loved to hear the wild applause - as we’d finish up a hard one 
   And-I rode in early rodeos - when women rode rough stock, 
I’d ride ‘em all and never fall - those bulls and saddle broncs 
Nineteen-forty was my glory - at the big one in Cheyenne 
I won the Ladies’ Bronc event - the U.S. champion      CHORUS 
   Now my life is on the prairie - far from the crowd’s romance 
I raise and train my horses - on a little Flint Hills ranch 
My days are sweet and quiet - but I never will let go 
Of-those thrilling days and memories when
I rode the rodeo.
Song "Margie Roberts - Trick Rider"  © Lyrics & music by Annie Wilson, performed by Tallgrass Express - on CD "Peace on the Prairie" 2020.  For more info, see  tallgrassexpress.com