It was in the town of Griffin in the year of '83
It was there an old cow-puncher stepped up and says to me
How do you do, young fellow and how would you like to go
And spend a pleasant summer out in New Mexico?

I'll furnish you good wages, your transportation too
If you will but go with me one summer season's through
But if you grow homesick and back to Griffin go
I'll furnish you no horses from the hills of Mexico

Well, we left the town of Griffin in the merry month of May
When ev'rything seemed lovely and ev'rything seemed gay
With saddles on our horses, marching onward we did go
Until we reached Old Boggy out in New Mexico

It was there our pleasures ended and our troubles they began
Oh, the first hailstorm came on us, oh how those cattle ran
Through all kinds of thorns and thistles this cowboys had to go
While the Indians watched upon us out in New Mexico

And when the drive was over the rider would not pay
To all you good-lookin' people this much I have to say
Go back to your friends and loved ones, tell others not to go
To the God-forsaken country they call New Mexico