Lyrics: If You Want a Friend in Texas, Feed Out a Steer
Performed by Debbie “Hayride” Harper & The Prairie Songbirds
If You Want a Friend in Texas: Music and Lyrics by Alan Nafzger
Verse 1:
If you want a friend in Texas, forget the sweet talk,
Don’t need no handshake or a stroll ‘round the block.
Just get yourself a steer and start feedin’ him grain,
That’s how friendships grow here, down on the plain.
Forget about coffee, forget about beers,
In Texas, we bond over cows with big ears!
Chorus:
If you want a friend in Texas, feed out a steer,
That’s how we say, “Hey y’all, I’m glad you’re here!”
We don’t do fancy brunches or happy hour cheers,
Just a big ol’ cow, some feed, and a couple of beers.
So saddle up, partner, and let’s make it clear,
If you want a friend in Texas, feed out a steer!
Verse 2:
Forget about trust falls, they don’t work out here,
But toss me a shovel and I’ll lend you an ear.
We’ll talk ‘bout the weather while shovelin’ muck,
And bond over hay bales we got stuck in the truck.
Sure, city folks make friends in a café,
But here we make buddies with cows all day!
Chorus:
If you want a friend in Texas, feed out a steer,
That’s how we say, “Hey y’all, I’m glad you’re here!”
We don’t do fancy brunches or happy hour cheers,
Just a big ol’ cow, some feed, and a couple of beers.
So saddle up, partner, and let’s make it clear,
If you want a friend in Texas, feed out a steer!
Bridge:
Now you can keep your wine tastin’ and your golf course meet-ups,
But out in the pasture’s where real friendships heat up.
A cow’s gotta eat, and we gotta chat,
I’ll teach you to rope, you can show me your hat!
Verse 3:
So grab a pitchfork, we’ll muck through the pen,
By the time we’re done, we’ll be best of friends.
You’ll see that ol’ steer grow big and strong,
And by the end, we’ll be singin’ the same song.
No need for small talk or city slicker ways,
Just feedin’ a cow will fill up our days!
Chorus:
If you want a friend in Texas, feed out a steer,
That’s how we say, “Hey y’all, I’m glad you’re here!”
We don’t do fancy brunches or happy hour cheers,
Just a big ol’ cow, some feed, and a couple of beers.
So saddle up, partner, and let’s make it clear,
If you want a friend in Texas, feed out a steer!
Outro:
So here’s to good buddies and cows in the field,
We’ll feed ‘em and laugh, that’s the Texas deal.
No need for fancy—just grab the rear,
If you want a friend in Texas, feed out a steer!
Wanna make some hay?
Cowboy Poem
If You Want a Friend in Texas, Feed Out a Steer
By Alan Nafzger, 1997
If you want a friend in Texas, you don’t need a lot to say,
Just saddle up beside me, and we’ll make some hay.
Out here, words are scarce, but hard work’s sincere,
And you’ll learn pretty quick when we feed out a steer.
It’s not the fancy dinners or the talk ‘round the town,
It’s the dust in the air and the sun goin’ down.
You can shake a thousand hands and still not be near,
But you’ll know a man’s true when you’re feedin’ a steer.
City folk may meet for coffee or wine,
But in Texas, we gather ‘round a bovine.
There’s no need for chitchat, no need for a cheer,
We’ll bond over grain when we’re feedin’ that steer.
There’s somethin’ ‘bout the quiet and the rhythm of the day,
With a shovel in hand, friendships find their way.
The work ain’t always easy, but the trust’s crystal clear,
You’ll earn it alongside me, feedin’ this steer.
We’ll talk ‘bout the weather, the droughts, and the rains,
We’ll laugh at our troubles, share stories, and pains.
Out here, a man’s word is all that you hear,
And you’ll know it’s true when we’re feedin’ that steer.
So if you want a friend in Texas, here’s where to start,
Grab a pitchfork and put in your heart.
There’s no better way to make bonds that last years,
Than standin’ side by side, feedin’ out a steer.
It’s the cattle and the labor, the sweat and the toil,
That grow roots deeper than the Texas soil.
So if you’re lookin’ for friendship, the path’s mighty clear:
If you want a friend in Texas, feed out a steer.
Last Updated on October 29, 2024 by Alan Nafzger