His Stetson was faded and battered and worn The stubble of his beard showed flex of gray His limp was severe 'cause a leg had been torn by a bronc in his rodeo days He hung 'round the chutes while we waited to mount With a vague look of longing in his eyes He spoke very few words, but he made 'em count He was broken, forgotten, but wise He said life's is just like ridin' broncs, it's a battle Then he rolled a cigarette with shaky hands Son, I'll gladly take ten seconds in the saddle For a lifetime of watching from the stands ♪ I noticed the cigarette burns on his vest And the remnant of a dream left in his eyes The boys said that he could have well been the best Had not fate cheated him of his prize Oh, but I learned a lesson that I'd never known From this guy who'd been busted so bad It's better to ride even if you get throwed Than to wind up just wishing you had He said life's is just like ridin' broncs, it's a battle Then he rolled a cigarette with shaky hands Son, I'll gladly take ten seconds in the saddle For a lifetime of watching from the stands Yes, I'll gladly take ten seconds in the saddle For a lifetime of watching from the stands