“Top Hand”

Description

"While you're all so frisky I'll sing a little song... It's all about the Top Hand when he's busted flat." The Top Hand/top screw boasts of his prowess as a cowhandler, but it's all boasting and lies. The cowboys try to expose him, and label him a Jackass

References

  1. Thorp/Fife V, pp. 61-65 (17-18), "Top Hand" (2 texts)
  2. Roud #8050
  3. BI, TF05

About

Alternate titles: “Top Screw”; “Waddie Cowboy”
Author: (Credited by Thorp to Frank Rooney, c. 1877)
Earliest date: 1899
Keywords: cowboy bragging lie trick
Found in: US(SW)