The Ballad of Warner Glenn
Open Country Chronicles: Warner Glenn's Wild Pursuit
Lyrics
Way down south on the border of Mexico
Describes the geographical location, indicating a southern border near Mexico.
With the rattlesnakes cactus and banditos
Lists elements of the environment, including rattlesnakes, cactus, and banditos (outlaws).
Dirt and spurs, feed the hounds and let'im go
Depicts a rustic lifestyle involving dirt, spurs, and hunting with hounds.
As a boy, Marvin taught him where the big toms rove in
Recalls childhood experiences with Marvin, learning about large tomcats and their roaming patterns.
Open Country where the jaguars roam
References open country where jaguars roam, suggesting a wild and untamed landscape.
Open Country full of a different kind of gold
Continues the theme of open country, describing it as possessing a different kind of gold.
A sixteen-hand mule saddled up 'fore the sun glows
Introduces a mule, symbolizing a mode of transportation for the protagonist.
Nobody told'im this wretched life is a hard row to hoe
Reflects on the challenging nature of the protagonist's life, comparing it to a difficult task.
Hiding the rising sun behind the Chiricahua's folds
Mentions hiding behind the Chiricahua mountains as the sun rises.
He's mounted and moving for an all-day mule back stroll in
Describes the protagonist embarking on a day-long mule ride in the open country.
Open Country where the jaguars roam
Reiterates the presence of jaguars in the open country.
Open Country full of a different kind of gold
Reaffirms the notion that the open country holds a unique and valuable treasure.
On a lion track in the dirt seven miles in but where'd he go?
Questions the disappearance of a lion track after a significant distance.
Got a pack of White Walkers that are philosophers like Thoreau
Introduces a pack of White Walkers, possibly metaphorical, with philosophical tendencies like Thoreau.
Working 'cross the dirt like a farmer works his rows
Compares the protagonist's work to that of a farmer tending to his fields.
Up the canyon, 'round the rock, chasing the ghost of a shadow through
Describes the pursuit of a shadow in the rugged landscape, emphasizing difficulty.
Open Country where the jaguars roam
Repeats the idea of jaguars in the open country.
Open Country full of a different kind of gold
Reiterates the unique and valuable nature of the open country.
Open Country will be lost if no one knows
Expresses concern that the open country might be lost if not recognized and preserved.
That this wild Country is where the jaguar roams
Emphasizes the wildness and jaguars as defining elements of the open country.
They'll only catch him if he crosses the plateau
Suggests the protagonist, Warner Glenn, can only be caught if he crosses a plateau.
Chase'im over the rimrocks and Ol Hook bays him in a hole
Describes the chase over rimrocks, with Ol Hook playing a role in trapping the protagonist.
It's no lion he seeks but a wildness he can't control
Highlights that the protagonist is not seeking a lion but an uncontrollable wildness.
Who I'm talkin' about is Warner Glenn and his mule, Machomo
Identifies Warner Glenn and his mule, Machomo, as the central figures in the narrative.
Comment