National Finals Rodeo Songtext
von Chris LeDoux

A rodeo′s just a rodeo after riding several years
From ol' Cheyenne to Houston, they never cause too much fear
But let me tell you about one that will chill your very soul
It happens in December when it′s snowin' and it's cold

In Oklahoma City, there′s a building of concrete
It′s where the toughest stock and men will gather and compete
The points have all been tallied and the stock has all been brought
We've got just two more hours ′cause it starts at eight o'clock

It′s the Finals, the NFR, the Series of the sport
Hey rookie, can you take ten head, have you got the heart?
You think you're a tough cowboy, we′ll find out in the end
When that final whistle blows and the stock's all in the pen

The Colosseum's quiet except for the sounds
Of cowboys getting ready and the workmen of the grounds
The cowboys ask each other, what each other′s got
"Did you draw ol′ Necklace or pluck old Double-Ought?"


The tension now is mounting as the crowd starts pouring in
A shiver goes all through me like from a cold, cold wind
I hear the horses comin', runnin′ down the alleyway
They're snortin′ and a-blowin' as men shut the sliding gates

It′s the Finals, the NFR, the Series of the sport
Hey rookie, can you take ten head, have you got the heart?
You think you're a tough cowboy, we'll find out in the end
When that final whistle blows and the stock′s all in the pen

We had too much time a while ago but not enough time now
The Anthem is now over, the grand entry′s going out
I sit here on my bronc, I'm ready, and I wait
I hear a chute swing open, so I look out through the gate

A horse jumps out and blows up, he′s kicking at the roof
And then out comes another, bucking like a curly wolf
I hear the chute boss holler through the yelling of the crowd
He says, "There's one ahead of you, so you′d better get screwed down"

It's the Finals, the NFR, the Series of the sport
Hey rookie, can you take ten head, have you got the heart?
You think you′re a tough cowboy, we'll find out in the end
When that final whistle blows and the stock's all in the pen


I nod my head, I′m in a daze, the horse goes boiling out
I lay my spurs along his neck, and then I drag him out
My mind is in a blur, my eyes are seeing red
The flank catch slams into my back, his rump bangs on my head

Then somewhere in the background, I can hear that buzzer sound
My hand′s jerked from the rigging and I crash into the ground
I stumble to my feet, and as I stagger to the wall
I wonder to myself, "Is it really worth it all?"

It's the Finals, the NFR, the Series of the sport
Hey rookie, can you take ten head, have you got the heart?
You think you′re a tough cowboy, we'll find out in the end
When that final whistle blows and the stock′s all in the pen

It's the Finals, the NFR, the Series of the sport
Hey rookie, can you take ten head, have you got the heart?
You think you′re a tough cowboy, we'll find out in the end
When that final whistle blows...