Took my last fall in San Diego
Bus headed north, one headed south
I call the farmer in Colorado
And I lift the dusty pay phone to my mouth
She says, "Hello", I say, "It's me hon"
Sorry I stayed away so long
Tell the kids their old man's through with playin' rodeo
'Cause if it's alright with you, I'm comin' home
Well, there's silence on the line
Said, "You sure did take your time"
But I still need a man for the things a man is good for
And you know how it is raisin' crops and raisin' kids
Demands a man at least as fit as you are
So come on, get on home, there's hay that need a mowin'
A boy that needs a whippin' and a hundred things to do
I hope you've finally found your mind to leave that rodeo behind
I've spent half my life just waitin' here for you
Guess that now is the time, I better tell her
Hon', I've got this friend that's here with me
He used to be a cowboy and a good one, so they say
Now his legs are crippled, he can't walk, you see
But hon', you ought to hear him tell his stories
Sing the old songs play the guitar too
And I'd really like to show him Colorado
But I thought I'd better leave it up to you
Well, there's silence on the line
And now I hear her sayin'
Babe, I only need a man for the things a man is good for
And you know how it is, a place just half this big
Demands a man at least as fit as you are
Put yourself in his place, it'd be awful hard to face
All the chores, and work, and nothing he could do
Do you want to know my mind, leave that rodeo bum behind
Don't waste our time, I'm waitin' here for you
Crying's just for kids, I put down the phone
Fumble with my crutches, movin' slow
I wish that I was on the bus that's Colorado bound
And I hope the weather's nice in Mexico