His Stetson was faded and battered and worn The stubble of his beard showed flex of gray His limp was severe cause a leg had been torn by a bronc in his rodeo days He hung round the chutes while we waited to mount With a vague look of longing in his eyes He spoke very few words but he made 'em count He was broken forgotten but wise He said life's is just like ridin' broncs its a battle Then he rolled a cigarette with shaky hands Son I'll gladly take ten seconds in the saddle For a lifetime of watching from the stands [ guitar ] I noticed the cigarette burns on his vest And the rembrandt of a dream left in his eyes The boys said he could have well been the best Had not fate cheated him of his prize Oh but I learned a lesson that I'd never known From this guy who'd been busted so bad It's better to ride even if you get throwed Than to wind up just wishing you had He said life's is just like... Yes I'll gladly take ten seconds in the saddle For a lifetime of watching from the stands