I was walking down the High Street
Minding my own
I was wearing my stetson
‘Cause of the midday sun
Somebody started laughing
Saying: “Hey, look at that.
He must be a cowboy
Cause he’s in a cowboy hat.”

Now if I’d had a six-gun
I might have told him: “Draw.”
Or I could have ridden off
But I don’t have a horse
Snakeskin boots, leather chaps
Or a lash lariat.
Don't call me a cowboy
Just because I wear a hat

Don’t put me in the saddle
To ride out on the range
I don’t want to live on whisky
and bacon and beans
The frontier’s not the kind of place
Where I want to be at
Don't call me a cowboy
Just because I wear a hat

Don’t call me a hangman
Just because I’ve got a rope
Don’t call me an scientist
It’s just a microscope
I’m not a priest, a politician
Nor an aristocrat
And don't call me a cowboy
Just because I wear a hat

I’m not from Oklahoma
Abilene or Great Bend
I’m not from the state of Texas
Down by the Rio Grande
I’m not even American
Let me tell you flat
Don't call me a cowboy
Just because I wear a hat

Don’t put me in the saddle
To ride out on the range
I don’t want to live on whisky
and bacon and beans
The frontier’s not the kind of place
Where I want to be at
Don't call me a cowboy
Just because I wear a hat

The flies are all buzzing
There’s dust on the trail
Got my head down, listening
For the rattle on the rail
I’m dozing in the sun
Like a calico cat
But don’t call me a cowboy
Just because I wear a hat

Meanwhile in the old town
We’re waiting on a train
Tumbleweeds are tumbling
The preacher prays for rain
The sun’s burning down
Casting shadows so black
The place is full of cowboys
And they’re all in cowboy hats

Don’t put me in the saddle
To ride out on the range
I don’t want to live on whisky
and bacon and beans
The frontier’s not the kind of place
Where I want to be at
Don't call me a cowboy
Just because I wear a hat