The Farmer and the Cowman

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"The Farmer and the Cowman" was a song written by Oscar Hammerstein II and composed by Richard Rodgers for the musical Oklahoma!. It is sung primarily by Andrew Carnes, Aunt Eller, Ike Skidmore. In various versions of Oklahoma, the singing parts for Ike, Andrew, and Aunt Eller have been swapped. Lines for Will Parker, Ado Annie, and Curly MacLain are also included. Repetition of the refrain is often sung by the entire group.

This song is included in the first scene of the second act of Oklahoma. It is often accompanied with an elaborate dancing sequence since it is a group number. This number, and the scene itself, takes place at the Skidmore Ranch, where the box social follows after the song.

In context of the rest of the musical, "The Farmer and the Cowman" does not further the plot but does allow the audience to witness the tension between the farmers and the cowman, a tension that comes from the farmer's desire to protect their crops with fences while the cowmen prefer the freedom to move cattle over a wide open range. Carnes, Aunt Eller, and Ike act as peacemakers and attempt to reconcile the two sides. The song appears to have no effect, and the two sides start fighting. Aunt Eller then shoots a gun to stop the fighting, and conducts both groups- ironically preaching peace with the lyrics of the song, but threatening violence.

At the end of the song, however, there is a resolution. Both sides agree to act hospitably toward each other after receiving a bit of advice:

Ike: And when this territory is a state, and joins the union just like all the others, the farmer and the cowman and the merchant, must all behave themselves and act like brothers.

Aunt Eller: I'd like to teach you all a little sayin', and learn these words by heart the way you should. I don't say I'm no better than anybody else, but I'll be danged if I ain't just as good.

The song resolves a minor subplot, although the conflict between Jud and Curly (a farmer and a cowman) has yet to be resolved at that point. The lyrics are:

Carnes: The farmer and the cowman should be friends, Oh, the farmer and the cowman should be friends. One man likes to push a plough, the other likes to chase a cow, But that's no reason why they cain't be friends. Territory folks should stick together, Territory folks should all be pals. Cowboys dance with farmer's daughters, Farmers dance with the ranchers' gals.

Ensemble:Territory folks should stick together, Territory folks should all be pals. Cowboys dance with farmer's daughters, Farmers dance with the ranchers' gals.

Carnes:I'd like to say a word for the farmer, He come out west and made a lot of changes

Will:He come out west and built a lot of fences,

Curly:And built 'em right acrost our cattle ranges.

Carnes: The farmer and the cowman should be friends, Oh, the farmer and the cowman should be friends. The cowman ropes a cow with ease, the farmer steals her butter and cheese, But that's no reason why they cain't be friends

Ensemble: Territory folks should stick together, Territory folks should all be pals. Cowboys dance with farmer's daughters, Farmers dance with the ranchers' gals.

Aunt Eller:I'd like to say a word for the cowboy The road he treads is difficult and stony, He rides for days on end with jist a pony for a friend

Ado Annie:I shore am feelin' sorry for pony.

Aunt Eller:The farmer should be sociable with the cowboy If he rides by and acts for food and water, Don't treat him like a louse, make him welcome in yer house.

Carnes:But be shore that you lock up yer wife and daughter.

Aunt Eller:I'd like to teach you all a little sayin' And learn the words by heart the way you should I don't say I'm no better than anybody else, But I'll be damned if I ain't jist as good!

Ensemble:I don't say I'm no better than anybody else, But I'll be damned if I ain't jist as good! Territory folks should stick together, Territory folks should all be pals. Cowboys dance with farmer's daughters, Farmers dance with the ranchers' gals!