Cowboy songs have long been a staple of American folk music, capturing the spirit of the Wild West through catchy melodies and descriptive lyrics. This list compiles 16 of the best and most popular cowboy tunes that are appropriate for children, complete with lyrics so the whole family can sing along. These toe-tapping songs are fun, family-friendly ways to engage kids with the rich musical tradition of cowboy culture in America. Whether you’re looking for songs to listen to and learn or want catchy campfire singalongs, this diverse selection offers memorable options the kids will love.
The Little Cowboy
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “I’m a Little Teapot”
I’m a little cowboy. Here is my hat (point to self, then to hat)
Here are my spurs (point to your heels)
And here are my chaps (pat legs)
As soon as I get up, (stretch, pretend to wake up)
I work all day (pretend to lasso a cow)
I get on my horse (pretend to get on a horse)
And ride away. (Pretend to gallop on a horse)
Let’s Go Riding
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Are You Sleeping?”
Lets go riding, lets go riding,
Saddle up. Saddle up.
Everybody ready? Everybody ready?
Giddyap! Giddyap!
Look around the Desert!
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Did you ever see a lassie?”
Oh, Look around the desert,
the desert, the desert.
Oh, Look around the desert.
Now what do you see?
Oh, I see some sand! Change these to something else!
Yes, I see some sand!
Oh look around the desert
Do you see it, Too?
See the Little Prairie Dog
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Mary had a little lamb”
See the little prairie dog,
prairie dog, prairie dog.
See the little prairie dog.
he’s hiding in his hole.
10 Little Cowboys
Original Author: Unknown
Ten little cowboys ( hold up 10 fingers)
Standing in a row-
When they see the foreman
They bow just so- ( bend fingers down)
They ride to the left (hands move left)
And they ride to the right (move hands to right)
And then they shut their eyes
And sleep all night. (put cheek on hands)
5 Little Cowboys
Original Author: Unknown
Five little cowboys sitting on a gate.
The 1st one said,” Gee, rodeos are great!”
The 2nd one said,” There are buzzards in the air.”
The 3rd one said, “But we don’t care.”
The 4th one said, Let’s watch the horses run.”
The 5th one said,” I’m ready for some fun!”
Then oooooo went the wind and off went their hats,
And the 5 little cowboys fell from where they sat.
I’ve been Riding on the Range
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “I’ve been working on the railroad”
I’ve been riding on the range,
All the livelong day.
I’ve been riding on the range,
Herding dogies on their way.
Can’t you hear the cowboys shouting,
“Yippity-oh-ky-yay!”
Can’t you hear the cowboys shouting,
“Dogies, move this way!”
Move on, Little Dogies
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “My Bonnie lies over the ocean”
All day long I ride on the prairie.
All night I sleep on the ground.
Oh, I’m a roaming cowboy,
Who travels around and around.
Move on, move on
Move on, little dogies, move on, move on.
Move on, move on,
Move on, little dogies, move on.
Counting Tumbleweeds
Original Author: Unknown
10 little tumbleweeds by the corral gate:
The wind whooshed two away, and then there were eight.
Eight little tumbleweeds said, “Oh! fiddlesticks!”
“We may as well dance with the wind.” Then there were six.
Six little tumbleweeds went out to explore;
Along came a whirlwind, and then there were four.
Four little tumbleweeds admiring the view; Then came a gentle breeze; so there were two.
Two little tumbleweeds; round and round they spun
Until they were out of sight; then there were none!
I’m a Texas Star!
Original Author: Unknown
I’m a Texas, I’m a Texas ,I’m a Texas star (change to your state!)
I come from the West, where the cowboys/girls are
I can ride ’em, I can rope ’em
I can show ’em how it’s done
Come on (child’s name) let’s have some fun.
Roll On
Submitted by: Jan K
Sung To: “My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean”
Last night as I lay on the prairie, And looked at the stars in the sky,
And I wondered if ever a cowboy, Could drift to that sweet by and by.
Roll on, roll on, Roll on, little dogies, roll on, roll on.
Roll on, roll on, Roll on, little dogies, roll on.
The road to that bright happy region, Is a dim narrow trail, so they say;
But the broad one that leads to perdition, Is posted and blazed all the way.
Roll on, roll on, Roll on, little dogies, roll on, roll on.
Roll on, roll on, Roll on, little dogies, roll on.
They say there will be a great roundup, And cowboys like dogies will stand,
To be cut by the riders of Judgment, Who are posted and know every brand.
Roll on, roll on, Roll on, little dogies, roll on, roll on.
Roll on, roll on, Roll on, little dogies, roll on.
I wonder if ever a cowboy, Stood ready for that Judgment Day,
And could say to the boss of the riders, I’m ready — come drive me away.
Roll on, roll on, Roll on, little dogies, roll on, roll on.
Roll on, roll on, Roll on, little dogies, roll on.
I’m a Little Cowpoke
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “I’m a Little Teapot”
I’m a little cowpoke (point to self)
Here is my hat (point to hat)
Here are my spurs (point to heels)
And here are my chaps (pat legs)
As soon as I get up (stretch, pretend to wake up)
I work all day (pretend to lasso a cow)
I get on my horse (pretend to get on a horse)
And ride away (pretend to gallop on a horse)
Riding Song
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain”
Oh, a cowpoke sings a riding song. Yah-hoo!
Oh, a cowpoke sings a riding song. Yah-hoo!
When a cowpoke goes a ridin’,
When a cowpoke goes a ridin’,
Oh, a cowpoke sings a riding song. Yah-hoo!
Additional verses:
Oh, a coyote sings a howling song. Ah-ooo!
Oh a pony sings a bucking song. Neigh-ay!
Oh a doggie sings a roaming song. Moo-ooo!
Oh, a rattler sings a sliding song. Hiss-sss!
Cowboys All Dressed
Original Author: Unknown
Five little cowboys get up to dress.
The first one buttons up his vest.
The second one wears tall boots with taps.
The third one laces up his chaps.
The fourth one ties a big bow tie.
The fifth one tips his hat. Good-bye!
Way Out West
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Old MacDonald”
Way out West are buffaloes. Yippie-yippie-oh!
Way out West are buffaloes. Yippie-yippie-oh!
with a stomp, stomp here and a stomp, stomp there.
Here a stomp, there a stomp, everywhere a
stomp, stomp.
Way out West are buffaloes. Yippie-yippie-oh!
Way out West are prairie dogs. Yippie-yippie-oh!
Way out West are prairie dogs. Yippie-yippie-oh!
with a bark, bark here and a bark, bark there.
Here a bark, there a bark, everywhere a
bark, bark.
Way out West are prairie dogs. Yippie-yippie-oh!
Other Verses:
rattlesnakes – hiss,hiss
jackrabbits – twitch, twitch
coyotes – howl, howl
Here We Go!
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Go In And Out The Window”
We’re in a covered wagon.
We’re in a covered wagon.
We’re in a covered wagon,
A-rollin’ down the trail!
We’re in a covered wagon.
We’re in a covered wagon.
We’re in a covered wagon,
A-bumpin’ down the trail!
We’re in a covered wagon.
We’re in a covered wagon.
We’re in a covered wagon,
A-rockin’ down the trail!