'Twas the Night Before Rodeo

’Twas the night before Rodeo and all through the town,
Every person was two-steppin' at the hoedown downtown.
The gold buckles were polished and ready to wear.
In hopes that their champions soon would be there.

The cowboys were snuggled up warm in their beds,
As dreams of go-round wins danced in their heads.
The broncs in the chutes gave a high-headed kick,
Just waiting to launch someone sky-high and quick.

The steer wrestlers stretched and grinned ear to ear,
Dreaming of catching that hazing steer.
The team ropers tuned up with ropes slick and fast,
Hoping their loops would both settle and last.

The barrel racers imagined their cloverleaf run,
Their horses pawed dirt, itching to have some fun.
The breakaway ropers sat quiet and steady in the box,
Hands light on the rein, ropes coiled and ready to rock.

The bull riders laughed, though their nerves were wound tight,
For eight seconds of glory could change lives that night.
The clown had his jokes and bullfighters on call,

Ready to save riders when bulls tried to maul.

The announcers rehearsed every cowboy’s name,

So each shining moment got its share of acclaim.

The queen smiled big in sequins that shone,
Waved proudly to crowds in this town they call home.

From bareback to bulls, every rider would try,
To thrill the big crowd ‘neath the Ellensburg sky.