Best Horse First

Story Behind The Song

Inspired by a sign in a restaurant.

Song Description

A young man picks up an old cowboy along the road and gets a lesson in philosophy.

Song Length 4:08 Genre Country - Cowboy, Country - Traditional
Tempo Medium Fast (131 - 150) Lead Vocal Male Vocal
Mood Cheerful Subject Philosophy, Life
Similar Artists Willie Nelson, John Denver Language English
Era 2000 and later

Lyrics

Best Horse (Male Version)

I was driving Montana in my pickup truck
Saw a cowboy by the road
There were plenty of years of winning and losing
That the lines in his old face showed
Threw his saddle in the back, next to mine
After a while he said if I had my whole life to live over again
I?d do a lot different this time.?
He took off his boot and dumped out a rock
Pulled a hole in his sock off his toe
And said there?s a lot of things I?v e learned
That every young man ought to know.

Life?s too short to drink bad whiskey
Or wear a pair of boots too tight
Never trust a man who won?t look you in the eye
And don?t believe in love at first sight
Whatever you do, hope for the best
But always prepare for the worst.
And never forget that life is uncertain
So, ride your best horse first.

As we drove along, he told the story
And the places that he?d been
Of women and horses and the times he?d been thrown
And climbed in the saddle again.
There were times that he?d lost, from being too weak
And others from being too strong.
And times that everything came out right
When he?d done everything wrong
He took a big swig from a beat up flask
And pulled his hat down on his eyes
Said don?t take advice from a total stranger
Cause it?s probably nothing but lies.

Life?s too short to drink bad whiskey
Or wear a pair of boots too tight
Never trust a man who won?t look you in the eye
And don?t believe in love at first sight
Whatever you do, hope for the best
But always prepare for the worst.
And never forget that life is uncertain
So, ride your best horse first.

I?ve made some good moves and a lot of mistakes
I?ve won and I?ve lost a few
And every time I think about it
The old cowboy?s words still ring true.
Ever now and then, I?ll see a young fellow
Who reminds me of me back then
I?ll ask him if he?d like a little advice
And then I?ll say to him.

Life?s too short to drink bad whiskey
Or wear a pair of boots too tight
Never trust a man who won?t look you in the eye
And don?t believe in love at first sight
Whatever you do, hope for the best
But always prepare for the worst.
And never forget that life is uncertain
So, ride your best horse first.

Never forget that life is uncertain
So, ride your best horse first.

K L Moulden
©2001

Lyrics Ken Moulden Music Thom Shepherd
Producer Thom Shepherd Publisher Left Lane Publishing, LLC
Performance Thom Shepherd Label Left Lane Publishing, LLC
This track is on 3 Member Playlists
Playlist Creator Playlist Name Date Added
Mr. Lindsay Mac BEST OF THE BEST 9/23/2013
Jase West My Top Songs 9/10/2007
Marcia McCaslin, Songwriter My Top Songs 9/10/2007

Other Songs By Ken Moulden - songwriter

Song
Actions
What He Doesn't Know
Country - Contemporary
Plays: 267
Kiss To Keep
Country - Contemporary
Plays: 99
Jesus and Jack Daniels
Country - Rock
Plays: 211
Tequila Sheila
Country - Honky Tonk
Plays: 3,213
Hell of a Place
Country - Contemporary
Plays: 139
His Footprints
Country - General
Plays: 60
Now, I Lay Me Down
Country - Rock
Plays: 70
Angel in the Rain
Country - Contemporary
Plays: 229
I Hear a Beer
Country - Honky Tonk
Plays: 545
This Girl's Truck
Country - Contemporary
Plays: 308
View All Songs
Clean Clean

Clean Clean

Artist Name
00:00 / 00:00