Fifty songs which chronicle the story of America's favorite folk hero, the cowboy. The songs document the cowboy's Spanish and Mexican roots, the trail drives, the cowtowns and the building of the huge cattle empires in the West. The Beginnings Columbus brings cattle and horses to America, cattle ranches spread throughout Mexico, to California and to South Texas.
Herds multiply during the Civil War.
Post-war ranches grow in number and size. Confederate Civil War veterans, adventurers, Mexicans, African-Americans and Indians become the cowboys who work the cattle. Cowboy Life American cowboys inherit the tools of the their trade from Mexico. They become expert riders, ropers and horse trainers. They face dangers, long hours and loneliness.