Background
A young poet encounters a cowboy in a local bar and is struck by his thin, worn appearance from years of hard work. Sensing the cowboy has words of inspiration to share, the poet approaches the cowboy, who responds that the only good things in life are "faster horses, younger women, older whiskey and more money." He goes on to explain that "to pray for peace and rain" is just a wish to be prosperous, which to him is "buffalo chips." The poet responds that he has no interest in any of those things, but the cowboy calls him a liar. The irritated poet grabs the cowboy to fight but relents when a weapon is pulled on him. In the end, the would-be poet swears off philosophical pursuits and, pondering what he would say if his son asked him the meaning of life, suggests he would recite the cowboy's list.Senate reference
The chorus was given in evidence to a U.S. Senate subcommittee by the banking consultant Alex Sheshunoff:Chart performance
The song was Hall's final number one on the ''Billboard''Weekly charts
Year-end charts
References
External links
* 1975 singles Tom T. Hall songs Songs written by Tom T. Hall Song recordings produced by Jerry Kennedy 1975 songs Mercury Records singles Songs about cowboys and cowgirls {{1970s-country-song-stub