The Last Cowboy (at the Bowling Alley)

from The Southwest Sky and Other Dreams by Karen Jonas

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Hey cowboy, drop this new The Southwest Sky and Other Dreams CD in your 6 CD changer while you enjoy the scenic 8 panel packaging, complete with lyrics.

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lyrics

The Last Cowboy (at the Bowling Alley)

he picks up his favorite number twelve
bits of blue still sparkle in its worn shell
the other guys all threw fifteens and sixteens
but they’re gone now anyhow
he takes a long step back
he takes a deep breath

and it flies like it used to
straight and bygone down the arrows
he stands with one foot in the air
just a little longer than he needs to
he was the king of the yucca valley
now he’s just the last cowboy at the bowling alley

there’s an old girl still working at the counter
janet pops the tops off his budweisers
and one time she kissed him in the parking lot
but she pretends not to remember
he takes a long step back
he takes a deep breath

and it flies like it used to
straight back to 1972
the girls all watched as his right toe tapped
on the polished wood
he was the king of the yucca valley
now he’s just the last cowboy at the bowling alley

they always said he was the very best
now he’s just the only one left

buenas noches señorita
he calls to a pretty lady walking in
then he frowns at some school kids
they’re just here to kiss in the benches
he takes a long step back
he takes a deep breath

and it flies like it used to
the pins all fall like a strong wind blew
and the kids don’t notice but somewhere in his heart
he wishes they would
he used to play for the money
but there’s no money here anymore
he used to play for the glory—
god but the glory’s gone
he was the king of the yucca valley
now he’s just the last cowboy at the bowling alley

buenas noches cowboy

credits

from The Southwest Sky and Other Dreams, released August 28, 2020

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Karen Jonas Fredericksburg, Virginia

The Restless (3.3) is “a stunning collection of dreamy and dark alt-country confessionals; a deep exploration of love and vulnerability from one of Americana’s most hopeless romantics” (Holler.Country). As Parklife Mag DC put it, “the voice of country music in the DMV is a big, bright voice that belongs to Virginia native Karen Jonas.” ... more

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