"The Farmer and the Cowman" is a song featured in the 1955 film Oklahoma! with music composed by Richard Rodgers and lyrics written by Oscar Hammerstein II. At the box social, guests from all over the territory dance together, watched over carefully by Aunt Eller, who understands the need for everyone to get along while they sing this song.
Lyrics[]
Andrew:
The farmer and the cowman should be friends
Oh, the farmer and the cowman should be friends
One man likes to push a plough
The other likes to chase a cow
But that's no reason why they cain't be friends
Territory folks should stick together
Territory folks should all be pals
Cowboys dance with farmer's daughters
Farmers dance with the ranchers' gals
All:
Territory folks should stick together
Territory folks should all be pals
Cowboys dance with farmer's daughters
Farmers dance with the ranchers' gals
Farmer:
I'd like to say a word
Fer the farmer
He come out west
And made a lot of changes
Will:
He come out west and built a lot of fences
Farmer:
And built 'em right across the cattle ranges
The farmer a good and thrifty citizen
No matter what the cowman says or thinks
You seldom see him drinkin' in a bar room
Curly:
Unless someboy else's buyin' drinks
Andrew:
But the farmer and the cowman should be friends
Oh, the farmer and the cowman should be friends
The cowman ropes a cow with ease
The farmer steals her butter and cheese
But that's no reason why the cain't be friends
All:
Territory folks should stick together
Territory folks should all be pals
Cowboys dance with farmer's daughters
Farmers dance with the ranchers' gals
Aunt Eller:
I'd to say a word for the cowboy
The road he treads is difficult and stoney
He rides for days on end
With just a pony for a friend
Annie:
I sure am feelin' sorry for the pony
Aunt Eller:
The farmer should be sociable with the cowboy
If he rides by an' ask for food an' water
Don't treat him like a louse
Make him welcome in your house
Ike:
But be sure that you lock up your wife an' daughters
All:
Territory folks should stick together
Territory folks should all be pals
Cowboys dance with farmer's daughters
Farmers dance with the ranchers' gals
Curly:
And when this territory is a state
An' joins the Union jus' like all the others
The farmer, and cowman and the merchant
Mus' all behave theirselves and act like brothers
Aunt Eller:
I'd like to teach you all a little sayin'
And learn the words by heart the way you should
I don't say I'm no better than anybody else
But I'll be danged if I ain't jist as good!
All:
I don't say I'm no better than anybody else
But I'll be danged if I ain't jist as good!
Territory folks should stick together
Territory folks should all be pals
Cowboys dance with farmer's daughters
Farmers dance with the ranchers' gals
