The Gift - Ian Tyson

In old St Louis over in Missouri

The mighty Mississippi well it rolls and flows

A son was born to Mary Russell

And it starts the legend every cowboy knows

Young kid Russell was born to wander

Ever westward he was bound to roam

Just a kid of sixteen in 1880

Up in wild Montana he found his home

God made Montana for the wild man

For the Piegan and the Sioux and Crow

Saved His greatest gift for Charlie

Said Get her all down before she goes

You gotta get her all down

'cause she's bound to go

God hung the stars over Judith Basin

God put the magic in young Charlie's hands

And all was seen and all remembered

Every shining mountain every longhorn brand

He could paint the light on horsehide shining

The great passing herds of the buffalo

And a cow camp cold on a rainy morning

And the twisting wrist of the Houlihan throw

God made Montana for the wild man

For the Piegan and the Sioux and Crow

Saved His greatest gift for Charlie

Said Get her all down before she goes

You gotta get her all down

'cause she's bound to go

When the Lord called Charlie to his home up yonder

He said Kid Russell I got a job for you

You're in charge of sunsets up in old Montana

'Cause I can't paint them quite as good as you

And when you're done we'll go out and have a few

And Nancy Russell will make sure it's just two

God made Montana for the wild man

For the Piegan and the Sioux and Crow

Saved His greatest gift for Charlie

Said Get her all down before she goes

You gotta get her all down

'cause she's bound to go