AboutLou Simon Expertise I can answer questions about many artists, songs or records from 1940-1990. I can often help with song lyrics, artist bio or other information requested
Experience I have programmed oldies radio stations about the USA and have written for radio networks that specialize in oldies programming.
Question Hi Lou,
I am another person who's Dad would sing songs to. One was "Big John",the other I could never find. The chorus line was something like this..."along came Hop-a-long Cassidy,Brett Maverick, and Billy the Kid; I'd of been lost if they hadn't shown up when they did! There was even Doc Holliday, Buffalo Bill, and Jesse James, and three thousand Calvary men, but I can't remember their names!" It was a song about a man who didn't carry a gun, and he was always running into Indians, and needing rescue. I love this song, and would sing the bits I know to my children,but Iwould like to know who sung it so I could obtain the full lyrics. Thank You in advance!
Denise
Answer Hey there Denise,
Well, you had no problem finding "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean, right?
The other song you seek is called "Cowboy Convention" and was by The Ohio Express here in the States. In the UK, it was recorded by a group called The New World. The song was written by the great John Carter, one of the 60's and 70's most prolific purveyors of marvelous radio fare like "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat", "Little Bit O' Soul" and "Beach Baby".
It never charted on the pop charts here in America but did get exposure overseas in 1969. If you want to hear their version of the song, it is
on an inexpensive CD called "Golden Classics" by Ohio Express and amazon has it inexpensively.
It also shows up on an actual John Carter CD but I think that might be the Ohio Express version, too. Otherwise, it'll be his demo of the song.
Since your Dad was a country fan, he more likely knew the song by Buddy Alan and Don Rich, a single on Capitol records in 1970. Buddy was the son of superstar Buck Owens. Don was the guitarist in the Buckaroos, Buck's band from Bakersfield, California.
If you keep checkin' eBay, you might find the single which you can then have transfered to CD. That is, if you want to hear the song the way Dad did. If you just want to hear the song in general, finding the Ohio Express version is a bit easier since it's on the Golden Classics CD.
The lyrics:
I was riding the prairie
When out of the blue I could see
There were two dozen Indians
Starting to close up on me
There was no place I could run
And I never carry a gun
So I cried for help
Chorus:
And along came Hop-Along-Cassidy,
Maverick, and Billy The Kidd
I'd have been lost if they hadn't
Shown up like they did
And there was even Doc Holiday,
Buffalo Bill, Jesse James
And three hundred cavalry
But I can't remember their names
I was safe in my cabin
And thinking of going to bed
When an Indian tomahawk
Stuck in the wall by my head
I looked through the window and saw
There were three thousand Indians or more
So I cried for help
(Chorus)
But one day I was caught and
Was taken to see Running Bear
But we got on so well that
He told me that I could stay there
And according to Indian law
I could have me a choice of a squaw
I needed no help
But along came Hop-Along-Cassidy,
Maverick, and Billy The Kidd
I'd have been fine if they hadn't
Shown up but they did
And there was even Doc Holiday,
Buffalo Bill, Jesse James
And three hundred cavalry
But I can't remember their names
