Being a cowhand in old-time Phoenix


It was such a beautiful morning here in Peoria, Arizona (a suburb of Phoenix) that I started singing while I was out pedaling around. Well, not really loud! It was a song that I remember from when I was a kid, and the only words that I know are: "I'm an old cowhand, from the Rio Grande...!" Now that I'm back home at my computer I can Google the rest of the lyrics, but mostly it's got me to thinking about being a cowhand in old-time Phoenix.

As someone who grew up on Western movies and TV shows, what I recall was the word "cowboy", not "cowhand". But I've pondered it long enough to know that although the word "cowboy" is said with pride nowadays, it really wasn't all that flattering back in the day. Yes, most of the people who worked with cows were young men, so I guess it would be fair to call them boys. The term becomes a bit insulting as these boys age into men, and are still called "boys". Much better to call them "hands", which is a term that is still in use today on ranches and farms. If you've ever been called a "good hand", you know.

Speaking for myself, I've never called anyone a "hand", nor has anyone ever called me that. But I have always been one, and I've recognized people who are hands. The opposite of a hand nowadays would be called a slacker, or to use an old-fashioned phrase, "bone idle". Of course someone who isn't a hand could also be someone who gets in the way, and just makes things worse, and who blurts out ignorance stuff like, "That heifer ain't even weaned!" or some such dern-fool statements, simply revealing their ignorance, and doing no one a lick of good.

A good hand is always there to lend a hand without ever having to be asked. They do the job, and don't sit around at the bar later on boasting about it. There's no need for a good hand to boast, people already know.

I'm an old cowhand,
from the Rio Grande.
But my legs ain't bowed,
and my cheeks ain't tan.

I'm a cowboy who never saw a cow,
Never roped a steer,
'cause I don't know how.
Sure ain't a fixing to start in now

- Johnny Mercer, 1956

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