by Cowgirl’s Curse
Performed by Debbie “Hayride” Harper & The Prairie Songbirds
Cowgirl’s Curse:Music and Lyrics by Alan Nafzger
Verse 1
Well, today’s my weddin’, about to be dressed in white,
But word’s come in that a stallion took flight.
He’s runnin’ the range with fire in his eyes,
Untamed, unbroken, beneath these western skies.
Coat shines like the desert sand at dawn,
A creature of freedom, where wildness is drawn.
But here’s my groom, standin’ tall and proud,
With a heart, big, steady and loud.
Chorus
I’m headin’ to the altar, but there’s a choice,
That stallion’s callin’, his spirit’ untamed.
My groom’s a good man, loyal and kind,
But the wild’s in my blood, and it’s takin’ my mind.
Do I ride for love, or chase the wind?
It’s a cowgirl’s curse—where do I begin?
Verse 2
Now, my groom’s standin’ there, as solid as stone,
With a love so steady, I’d never be alone.
His hands are strong from working the land,
But that stallion’s hooves carve out the sand.
He’s a good man, always does what’s right,
But that stallion’s out there, and free tonight.
I love his warmth, his steady embrace,
But there’s wild in my heart, and I long for the chase.
Chorus
I’m headin’ to the altar, but my thoughts are torn,
Between a love that’s safe and a stallion hellborn.
He’s wild and free, no fence could contain,
While my groom’s love is like steady rain.
Do I catch the wild or take his hand?
It’s the hardest choice for a cowgirl to understand.
Bridge
He’s everything I need, my heart knows it’s true,
But that stallion’s spirit is a whisperin’ through.
He’s the call of the prairie, the song of the sky,
But my groom’s the anchor when the wind blows by.
The stallion’s got fire, he’ll never be tamed,
It’s a tough choice and I’m ashamed.
Chorus
I’m walkin’ to the altar, leavin’ wild behind,
That stallion can run, but I’ve made up my mind.
My groom’s the one who’ll ride by my side,
Through thick and thin, through the wind and tide.
So let the stallion roam, free as the breeze,
I’ve found my true love, the one who’ll never leave.
Outro
So here’s to my man, with his heart so true,
I’ll let that stallion go—I’m ridin’ with you.
He can run wild, but I’m right where I belong,
At the altar with my love, where I’ve been all along.
(Steel guitar fades…)
Cowboy Poetry
Goin’ to the Altar, but My Heart’s Out Ridin’
by Alan Nafzger (1988)
Today’s my weddin’, they’re all dressed in white,
But word’s come in of a stallion in flight.
He’s runnin’ the range with fire in his eyes,
Untamed and wild, beneath endless skies.
His coat shines like desert sand at dawn,
A creature of freedom, where wildness is drawn.
Yet here stands my groom, tall and proud,
With a heart so steady, thunderheads loud.
I’m headin’ to the altar, but there’s a choice to be made,
That stallion’s callin’, his spirit untamed.
My groom’s a good man, loyal and kind,
But the wild’s in my blood, takin’ over my mind.
Do I ride for love or chase the wind?
It’s a cowgirl’s curse—where do I begin?
My groom stands strong, like stone in the land,
With love that’s safe and a gentle hand.
His touch is steady, his heart pure gold,
But that stallion’s spirit is fierce and bold.
His hooves cut the earth, free as the air,
While my groom offers love, steady and rare.
I’m torn between comfort and wild delight,
One keeps me grounded, the other takes flight.
I’m headin’ to the altar, but my thoughts are torn,
Between love that’s sure and a stallion, unborn.
He’s wild and free, no rope can contain,
While my groom’s love is like steady rain.
Do I chase the wild or take his hand?
It’s a cowgirl’s choice, tough to understand.
The stallion’s got fire, he’ll never be tamed,
But my man’s got love that’ll never be shamed.
He’s everything I need, I know it’s true,
But that stallion’s callin’, whisperin’ through.
He’s the song of the sky, the wind in the trees,
But my groom’s the calm that sets me at ease.
I’m walkin’ to the altar, leavin’ wild behind,
The stallion can run, but I’ve made up my mind.
My groom is the one who’ll ride by my side,
Through thick and thin, through the rising tide.
Let the stallion roam, free as the breeze,
I’ve found my true love, who’ll always be pleased.
So here’s to my man, with his heart so true,
I’ll let that stallion go—I’m ridin’ with you.
He can run wild, but I’m right where I belong,
At the altar with my love, where I’ve been all along.
