One of the great Westerns from the early days of television was RAWHIDE on CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System). Airing on Friday night from January 9, 1959 to September 3, 1965 and on Tuesday night from September 14, 1965 to January 4, 1966, the viewer was given a smorgasbord of great stories which tapped into the fascination of Western lore—the Great American Frontier.
There were 217 black and white episodes. It had a stellar cast: Eric Fleming as Gil Favor, the unfluctuating trail boss; Clint Eastwood as Rowdy Yates, his boss’ right hand; Paul Brinegar as George Washington Wishbone, the crusty chuck wagon cook; James Murdock as Harkness Mushgrove III (Mushy for short) Wishbone’s assistant; Robert Cabal as Jesus “Hey Soos” Patines, the wrangler, plus many others added the ensemble over the years.
It is of interest that Jesus Patines was called “Hey Soos” on the show. The producers and network felt having a character called Jesus would be upsetting to people—given the times, they were correct.
Perhaps, the most famous part of RAWHIDE was the theme song. Written by Dimitri Zinovievich Tiomkin and Edward Michael “Ned” Washington and sung by Francesco Paolo LoVecchi, better known as Frankie Lane.
Here’s the lyrics:
Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’,
Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’,
Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’,
Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’,
Rawhide!
Keep Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’,
Though the streams are swollen,
Keep them dawwgies rollin’, Rawhide!
Through rain and wind and weather,
Hell bent for leather,
Wishing my gal was by my side,
All the things I’m missin’
Good vittles, love and kissin’,
Are waiting at the end of my ride.
Move ’em on, head ’em up, head ’em up, move ’em on.Move ’em on, head ’em up, Rawhide.Cut ’em out, ride ’em in, ride ’em im, cut ’em out, cut ‘im out, Ride’ em in, Rawhide!
Keep movin’, movin’, movin’,
Though they’re disapproving,
Keep them dawwgies movin’, Rawhide!
Don’t try to understand them,
Just rope, throw and brand ’em,
Soon we’ll be living high and wide!
My heart’s calculating,
My true love will be waiting,
Be waiting at the end of my ride.
Move ’em on, head ’em up, head ’em up, move ’em on.Move ’em on, head ’em up, Rawhide.Cut ’em out, ride ’em in, ride ’em im, cut ’em out, cut ‘im out, Ride’ em in, Rawhide!
Move ’em on, head ’em up, head ’em up, move ’em on.Move ’em on, head ’em up, Rawhide.Cut ’em out, ride ’em in, ride ’em im, cut ’em out, cut ‘im out, Ride’ em in, Rawhide!
Rollin, rollin, rollin,
Rollin, rollin, rollin, H’yah!
Rollin, rollin, rollin,
Rollin, rollin, rollin,! H’yah!
Rawhide!
H’yah!
Rawhide!
H’yah!
Rawhide!
When I visited Dodge City Kansas, one of the scenic overlooks was of the vast array of cattle below. To see that many cattle in one place was impressive!
One can imagine the drovers dealing with cattle on the long trail drives with the various hostile elements which could spook the cattle into a stampede, where your life depended on your composure and riding ability as well as your well-trained horse. Unfortunately, drovers were lost on the trail and buried—some to be remembered and some forgotten who only had nicknames or first names.
In the song the cattle are described this way:
Though they’re disapproving,
Keep them dawwgies movin’, Rawhide!
Don’t try to understand them,
Just rope, throw and brand ’em
One could feel pity for the poor creatures, but the unsatiable appetite for beef was strong. How the cattle were driven to market and butchered had little cognization from the consuming public.
Beef was a staple which the American consumer in the East demanded back in those days. How it came to them was of little importance.
Today, in many ways, human beings are treated worse than cattle were on this planet traversing the cosmos. One just has to open their eyes.
Recently, there have been disturbing images of human beings being rounded up like cattle for a trail drive. Desperate people searching for a land of milk and honey have found themselves in a rawhide conundrum.
The Great Melting Pot does not want any additional ingredients unless the culinary chefs review their recipes to see what should be added. In the meantime human beings—men, women and children—are suffering under the bridges of desperation and despondence.
There is this chill of hopelessness in the very air they breathe. Many times catching one’s breath is useless as a derecho drives through their environs without regard.
When they cast their eyes toward the unknown horizon, the mirages of what could be overwhelmed them. They know just over the river there is this shinning speck of hope, but without a boat the river is uncrossable and the currents are too dangerous to swim.
Humanity has always had a great influx into the various regions on this globe for myriad reasons. The primary reason for people to travel to a new locale is to have a better life for themselves and their family, especially their children.
As one surveys the various geopolitical areas, there are many “cattle pens” where men women and children are corralled, harnessed, numbered, tortured and mostly unwanted. Human existence was never meant for such disparity between those who have and those who have not, especially clean water and ample food.
The apex of human misery on this orb hanging in the majesty of infinity is environmental and human induced. This has been the reality since humans first occupied this planet in the misty dawn eons ago.
When will human dignity and basic rights to exist be accorded to every man, woman and child? When will the cattle pens of human suffering be eradicated?
Some well-meaning individuals may say “it takes time” to bring about essential change. Unfortunately, do we have time left before the human experiment becomes a cosmic footnote based on the inevitable cycles which occur on this planet called Earth?
The history of Earth is one of upheaval and renewal. Will our Holocene Era be the 6th and final mass extinction?
G. D. Williams © 2021
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The Dodge City Cattle Photos in this post © 2021 G. D. Williams. May be used on the web if proper credit is given to this blog.
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