The Dark Horse Is Joe T Poem by C R Clark

It’s the first of September at the Bar of ranch, the Sun’s just startin to rise
Joe T’s stirring, gotta feed the stock, be a race to be run after while

The horses are tethered down at the crick, he’ll take ‘em some oats and hay
Gotta keep ‘em happy cause, in a spell, he expects ‘em to win a race

By the time Joe T’s got the horses fed, Miss Sondra’s got vittles on
She says “come on Joe, it’s might near ready, the coffee’s already done

After “grub, ” he checks, on the horses shoes, makes sure they’re all real tight
Checks out the wagon and tack and stuff and visits with cowboys that happen by

Later on he gets the wagon tarp out and laces it up good and tight
The wagon itself is John Deere green and the tarp on top is black

On the side of the tarp, in big yeller letters, the name of the team is spelled out
With the wagon out front, it’s apparent to all that this here’s the “Dark Horse” camp

‘Fore noon he saddles 'Old Rooster” up and rides off around the track
Meets up and visits with more cowboys, catches up on the latest Bar of facts

When him and rooster get back to camp it’s time to get the team hooked up
There’s a good deal of pain in Joe T’s knees but he’ll just “cowboy up”

“Frat Rat” and “Super” get all excited when they see Joe T coming in
They know it’s “might near” time for the race and they “shore nuff” like to win

A little later on, down at the track, the parade’s just finishing up
The teams are getting nervous, ready to run, the first heat’s lining up

Now a chuckwagon team has three that run an outrider, driver and cook
The cook’s gotta throw the bedroll in back and then he climbs on up

He talks to the driver, as the race is run, and tells him what’s going on
Where the outrider’s at, who’s catching up, does he need to slow down, or go on

Now the outrider’s gotta throw the “cookstove” in then he springs up on his mount
He’s gotta pass his wagon and finish first or their time aint gonna count

There’s the shot; they’re startin to move, the cook’s up behind the seat
Around the barrel, they’ve got lined out, they’re startin to pick up speed

The outrider’s mounted; he’s closin fast, There don’t seem to be any doubt
He’ll pass ‘em up by the second curve so, Joe T’s windin ‘em out

Heeyaaa, heeyaaa, go “Frat, ” go “Sup, ” git on around this track
The cook says “ Joe, the Outlaw Gang’s comin up on the right, real fast”

As they’re comin up on the second curve, the wagons are two abreast
The Dark Horse and The Outlaw Gang, what a race, what a tight contest

They disappear in a dusty fog as they’re comin around the curve
Heeyaaa, heeyaaa, both drivers shout, as they head for the last big turn

After they round that final barrel, they’re ready to stretch ‘em out
Heeyaaa, heeyaaa, go “Frat” go “Sup, ” The Dark Horse is pullin out

As they’re closin in on the finish line the teams are nose and nose
“Frat” and “Sup” give it all they’ve got and they win, but it’s mighty close

Joe T brings the team back around, In front of the spectator stands
It’s the same thing he always does, of course, but since they won, it’s a victory dance

There’s a lot of shouts from the Dark Horse fans as the team heads back to camp
Gotta feed the horses and let ‘em rest, It’ll start all over when the sun comes up

The Dark Horse team’s been around for years, but the members have sometimes changed
Outriders and cooks have come and gone, but the driver’s been the same

New members will always come and go, I ‘spect that’s the way it’ll be,
But the driver will always be the same, ‘cause the Dark Horse is Joe T

Copyright by CR. Clark-4/2/07