C                         F            C
His Stetson was faded and battered and worn
    F              C
The stubble of his beard showed flecks of gray
    F                        C            Am
His limp was severe ?cause a leg had been torn
     D                   G
By a bronc, in his rodeo days
   C                              F         C
He hung round the chutes while we waited to mount
       F             C
With a vague look of longing in his eyes
   F                        C            Am
He spoke very few words but he made ''em count
       C            G           C
He was broken, for- -gotten but wise

[Chorus]
        Am                           C            Am
He said life''s is just like ridin'' broncs its a battle
        F                             G
Then he rolled a cigarette with shaky hands
        F                    C              Am
See son I''d gladly take ten seconds in the saddle
      F           G                 C
For a lifetime of watching from the stands

Instrumental: Same as at the start

C                       F            C
I noticed the cigarette burns on his vest
        F             C
And the remnants of a dream left in his eyes
    F                            C             Am
The boys said that he could have well been the best
        D                         G
Had not fate, cheated him, of his prize
       C                        F          C
Ah but I learned a lesson, that I''d never known
           F                        C
From this guy who'd been busted so bad
      F                   C          Am
It''s better to ride even if you get throwed
        C             G           C
Than to wind up, just wishing you had

Chorus
        Am                           C            Am
He said life''s is just like ridin'' broncs its a battle
        F                             G
Then he rolled a cigarette with shaky hands
        F                    C              Am
See son I''d gladly take ten seconds in the saddle
      F           G                 C
For a lifetime of watching from the stands