There's a hundred years of history and a hundred before that All gathered in the thinkin' Goin' on beneath this hat. The cold flame burns within him 'Til his skin's as cold as ice And the dues he paid to get here Are worth every sacrifice. All the miles spend sleepy drivin' All the money down the drain, All the 'if I's' and 'nearly's,' All the bandages and pain, All the female tears left dryin', All the fever and the fight Are just a small down payment On the ride he makes tonight. It's guts and love and glory, One mortal's chance at fame. His legacy is rodeo And cowboy is his name.