The Vaquero Song by Dave Stamey. Photography by David R. Stoecklein

[@skyrocketcoast219]

Every time i listen to this song ; the tears run down in silence. Some of My family came from Oaxaca & some from Jalisco. And horses are my life. Thank you

[@Trakehner20]

This is beautiful! This is a very touching and haunting song; I can't hear many more songs as descriptive as this one!

[@clintbradley]

I have only just discovered Dave Stamey and am already a confirmed fan! How can modern day Nashville continue to turn out that soulless soft rock that it continues to pedal, when such glorious talent as this is right under their nose. I sincerely hope he tours England soon, I’ll be down the front! Wonderful post, truly wonderful 10 out 10!!!!!!!

[@vaqueromx2186]

Viva Mexico la tierra de los vaqueros 🇲🇽 M X

[@boylanrick42]

This song reminds me of my old cowboy grandfather, who came to Oregon from Colorado at about the turn of the century. He taut me how to ride and respect horses, among many other lessons. I inherited his saddle and a fine rifle, which I used to put venison on the table for most of my life. I have traveled many places, but I always think of him when ever I smell the sagebrush after a rare summer rain in Oregon's high desert. He is still there.

[@FirstIsa]

I'm so glad to find this here. My aunt and I would sing this when we went out riding or when working on her paintings. It's been nearly a decade since her battle with cancer ended and I still think of her every day. To Shelly Thompson Dodd- we miss you but you have left a mark on the lives of your niece and nephew, You taught us to appreciate the value of our hard work and the beauty of art. I could never thank you enough for those things.

[@41levergun]

God i love this song! No matter how many times i hear it!!

[@tatianaroveda]

I understand- I feel the same way. That haunting, foggy morn where the vaquero watches over the land and his cattle..No one but Dave can sing it so.

[@Trakehner20]

​@@tatianarovedayes! His music is so descriptive and haunting; it almost puts you there!

[@SpiritAnimalVSOP]

Every now and then I go to Cowboy Frank's website and listen to his favorite cowboy music. The last time I was there this song was played and I was absolutely floored. This is, without a doubt, one of the best cowboy/western songs ever written and performed.

[@walkshe]

The weathered, leather-faced gentleman at 4:17 is my girlfriend's father. His name was Roy Swanson. He worked for the Hogan Rodeo Company in Hamer, Idaho. My girlfriend, his daughter, is as tough as they come. I've always said she can out-ride, out-rope, out-fence, out- drink, and out-cuss most men, but she has a heart of gold. RIP Roy.

[@tatianaroveda]

Thats beautiful. I have had friends like that- they are so treasured..I have heard David Stocklein talk about his "beloved Idaho" and every one in this video is a working vaquero

[@arielh2695]

Rip Roy

[@mrsahonima]

Dave's poetry and music never ceases to amaze me. "And the dust raised by my ponies was smoke from my altar offered up to God above." Wow--just wow.

[@gerardolopez-dk5kj]

Great tribute to my vaquero ancestors!! I love it

[@Compastian]

I saw New West live many years ago because a friend had an extra ticket. I was blown away by the talent of these three fellas. The Vaquero Song made me weep for my aging father. Twenty-plus years later he doesn't remember my name, but he is still here.

[@mysterybug1]

This is one of the most beautiful song I've heard. The photography really helps one imagine the life the vaquero lived. The lyrics really capture the soul of the vaquero and the life he led. I am still here,... my soul is dancing in the moonlight,.. I mingle with each grain of sand with land that is my birthright, .. now I live in the air above the Pepper Tree. Riveting, haunting words. Where does the soul reside?

[@henrytree]

Fantastic photos to accompany a fantastic song. Every picture in your wonderful selection tells a story, a story of cowboys and cowmen. I was born 100 years to late to be a cowboy, and now aged 70+ and seeing your truly eclectic photos and listening to this song once more, the tears are falling and I now must simply accept that I was born too late. Many thanks for your video and photos. Henry Wood

henrytree the lifestyle still exists in the Great Basin

[@tatianaroveda]

I have to agree- beautiful, hauntingly picturesque...You've taken me there...Vive le vaquero! I' m just blown away by this song.

[@mariajordan8100]

This song touches my soul & brings tears to my eyes.

[@stefvonte2987]

I feel this song in my heart & soul. Before he moved to the far north, my father worked the land in California, and as a mountain guide. He was an untamed human being, as were the men in this song. I walk some of the mountain trails he did 50+ years ago, and stop to silently rest with him under trees on the way. Dave Stamey knows the wild hearts of the old timers who loved this land.♥️

[@1Furbear]

Words cannot describe the respect I have towards this lifestyle. And whomever deserves credit for the pictures, they are truly remarkable. Thank you for sharing something good in a world so full of hate and darkness. God bless the true buckaroo's and vaquero's that are still here.

[@ellenbaker2997]

Not one any more. Once my father and I broke horses and worked cattle. I long for days that can never be again

[@Guruton10]

Very well said!!!

[@craigeddins]

Dave N David you are top hands thanks for the great song and Photography!!!!!!!!

[@ninajrgensen19]

Craig Eddins . Tusen takk for det Craig. Selv om jeg ikke snart 43 år,,,så begynte god,,gammel musikk for ganske tidlig. Har jobbet på et stort gårsbruk for noen år tilbake. Er veldig i dyr,,,spesielt hester,,jobbet med hester i mange år. Savner det så utrolig mye. Mvh Nina

[@littleSallyJo]

I used to live less than a mile away from the Dana Adobe in Nipomo. I can feel the truth of this song. And of all of Dave's wonderful songs. The photography captures that spirit perfectly.

[@laneymoore4642]

I love this song so much! My dad introduced me to Dave Stamey and Ian Tyson and now they are all that I listen to. Most think it’s an odd choice in music for a 15 year old girl but I really connect to it. Growing up among the sagebrush in the Oregon high desert I have fallen in love with this kind of life. I’ve always dreamed about spending my life on a big ranch and buckarooing for a living for most of my life and this music makes me feel like I can do it. Everyone says that they were born to late to be a true cowboy but I don’t think that’s true at all. This lifestyle still exists and people still carry out these traditions and I hope to be one of those people. I’ve never felt true joy until I’ve spent the day gathering and branding cattle on the range. Cowboying is a lost art but one that is like no other and I truly believe that God put me on this earth to live the vaquero/buckaroo lifestyle. Thank you Dave Stamey, Ian Tyson, and all the other amazing artists who bring the buckaroo lifestyle to life through their music, you truly are a blessing.

[@alayaheart7384]

there are many places you can work! do all you can to learn about horses until youre out of highschool, many places need good help. Finish your education and then go for it! (from a ranch on Colorado)

[@ArcoZakus]

@Laney Moore, " ... all the other amazing artists ... " Here's one for you: "Cowgirl Song" -- Savanna Chestnut kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnekpJprqbekm5o

[@a1angelhix2010]

My name is Juan Medina A vaquero once was I Now I live in the air above the pepper trees Where are all the cattle, that belonged to Captain Dana They're blown away like ashes in the California breeze And once I rode the foothills And I swung a long reata I worked the hide and tallow trade in the land I loved I rode in wooden stirrups And the dust raised by my ponies Was smoke, from my alter offered up to the God above Todavía estoy aquí I am still here Todavía estoy aquí my soul is dancing in the moonlight I mingle with each grain of sand in the land that is my birthright I am still here, todavía estoy aquí I am still here, todavía estoy aquí In the canyon and barrancas And willows by the creek bank I chased the wild cattle through the live oak trees Cross valleys ridge and mesa And the hills baked oh, so yellow My ponies sleek and dancing were all a man would need Todavía estoy aquí I am still here Todavía estoy aquí my soul is dancing in the moonlight I mingle with each grain of sand in the land that is my birthright I am still here, todavía estoy aquí I am still here, todavía estoy aquí In the fog of early morning, O' the misty haze of twilight Beyond the sagging ruins of these adobe walls You may see me in the dust, That shimmers in the half light Or hear me in the whisper, of the grass so green and tall Todavía estoy aquí I am still here Todavía estoy aquí my soul is dancing in the moonlight Oh I mingle with each grain of sand in the land that is my birthright I am still here, todavía estoy aquí I am still here, todavía estoy aquí My name is Juan Medina A vaquero once was I Now I live, in the air above of the pepper trees.....

[@OcotilloCanyon]

IMHO,perhaps the best vid I have ever enjoyed.....fantistic photography by a a legendary photographer, David Stoecklein and great lyrics and presentation by Dave Stamey. I watch this video once a week for inspiration.......or make that every day......

[@DreadedPantherTank]

Great song. A nice tribute to Americas first cowboys. The Vaquero!

[@josephmccroy1670]

Love this song. This song speaks to me.

[@natescowgirl]

Absolutely double Talent Dave Stamey's voice and his fingers on his strings are Beyond mesmerizing and the photographer I'm at a loss for words everything is simply gorgeous🤠💙🐴

[@matttilton8480]

This is one good song it fixs me and few friends

[@franklogan4738]

Amazing...just simply Amazing on a plethora of levels!

[@comettamer]

I love finding songs like this. Ones that remind me of the culture of a land untamed and wild, filled with adventure and wonder.

[@alanlott5553]

How could someone give this a thumbs dow? Incredible song and awesome pics!!!

[@Santyago63872]

ImNotMad ButUR you’re mad bc cowboys weren’t Americans 🤣

[@tatianaroveda]

@@Santyago63872 I sadly live in the East.I learned over the years to work with horses who people had confused--It was an honor, altho I was called many things--Most not so nice. But it has always been between the horse and me. Trying to help and retrain the owners always disappointed me, for they had no real interest in retraining the bad habits they had transferred to their horses..My house is in the East, my skills are from the West, and my heart, beats solely for the horse-who I hve been honored to work with for so many, many years.

[@alayaheart7384]

@@Santyago63872 Of course they are. Clearly you dont know them. they are both, Vaquero and American Cowboy. Most of these images are American.

[@jwdougherty3798]

If you love cowboy/buckaroo/vaquerro lore, this song reveals the enormous depth of Dave Stamey's knowledge. It also reveals the California that easterners (anyone from east of the Rocky's) rarely imagine or even suspect exists. A great song.

[@tatianaroveda]

The Vaqueros of the Great basin states..They are still here...Look towards the CA foot hills.

[@jwdougherty3798]

@@tatianaroveda I know they are. They just not as common. The song is situated in California. The "wooden stirrups" he sings - "I rode with wooden stirrups" were notable because they only would hold the toes of a boot. The California vaqueros were very proud of their horsemanship. And, despite Spanish law, many were California indians. The leisurely, take your time and do it right attitude of the vaqueros comes from the indians. I grew up in the Sierra Nevada foothills and roped a few cows myself. Got kicked by cattle, and cold-shoed our horses.

[@tatianaroveda]

@@jwdougherty3798 That's amazing..When you ride thru training step - jaquima to freno, training step..the great vaquerros called it manana.. (Tomorrow).Each footfall of their horses were perfect...TY JW for your insight and the honor you give to the old "hide and tallow" trade. I trained and taught for over 30 years here in the East- and I have fallen in love with the beauty and softness of the Bridle horses. This is truly a lifestyle, Fill your days with positivity. Find harmony in your horse..take the time- Vive la Californios. And Thank you again my friend...Enjoy the ride.❤

[@jwdougherty3798]

@@tatianaroveda It is truly special when you feel like the horse knows exactly what you are thinking. A good horse will see the loop land and react at once, settling back and bracing against when the cow hits the end of the rope. All the roper has to do is cast that dally welta around the saddle horn fast and keep their fingers out of the way. There's nothing else quite like that.

[@tatianaroveda]

@@jwdougherty3798 I have had the honor of many great horses throughout my life- yet none were BH...I would love to have ridden with you- just in harmony..a vaquerra once was I..

[@jm.209]

Wow- very beautiful and touching. Love this

[@keenanranch849]

The harmony between the song and the photography is truly God inspired. I am so grateful!

[@dianemink333]

🎶🎶🤠Simply Beautiful 🎶🎶🤠

[@charlessandino1102]

From the Argentine Gaucho to the California Vaquero the spirit is the same. Read the Ballad of Martin Fierro and Arnold Rojas' books on the California Vaquero the same drama and energy of an Hispano working cattle on horseback and reata is sensed. Dave Stamey and David R. Stoecklien are amazing in capturing it.

[@vaqueromx2186]

Viva Mexico la tierra de los vaqueros 🇲🇽 M X

[@merlinspillers4743]

Every song is wonderful when Dave Stamey sings it.

[@MrAzrancher]

Don Edwards, Dave Stamey, Red Steagal are just a few very talented balladers who never get played on regular radio. The generic studio produced bubble gum music of today pales to great original artists like these. Dave plays small venues and coffee houses around the southwest, be sure to catch his show if you can.

[@saluto1397]

I would definitely add R L Hayden to your list

[@vaqueromx2186]

Viva Mexico la tierra de los vaqueros 🇲🇽 M X 🇲🇽 🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵

[@missmybaby2000]

Favorite! Absolutely amazing photography and the song is amazing as well. Speechless, true beauty...

[@tylercabigas5750]

long live the vaqueros. i will stay to my birthright and i will live the way of my people

[@Pearly056]

This is just beautiful....Thank you for posting....

[@wesc5450]

Dave Stamey deserves to be so much more recognition.

[@lizaltieri]

Lovely song. Thanks

[@bigred3169]

The man know how to sing this song. He has a very old soul in his voice.

[@charlessandino1102]

The Spanish were the first to bring horses to the new world starting with the 16 that came with Cortez into Mexico 1519-21 as foot-soldier Bernal Diaz del Castillo describes in " The Conquest of Mexico ". They then were taken north into New Mexico where they multiplied, and escaped into the wild along with cattle The Padres came with cattle and the horse into California first from Baja, then from Sonora and points further south and east. Incidentally they brought the grape for celebration of Mass, which became the now famous Wine industry in this state!

[@ericnix898]

The first horses in the new world came to the Caribbean Islands and from their to Florida. Columbus brought horses in 1493 and Juan Ponce brought a sorrel mare to Florida in 1513.

[@muleykilla1863]

ImNotMad ButUR ImNotMad ButUR I get what your saying but I hate it when people talk about our generation like we are are the same person. Yes there may be a lot of kids nowadays with they’re earbuds in and they’re face in their phones %95 of the time. But we are not all like that... I’m a sixteen year old kid listening to Dave Stacey and I love to learn about history every chance I get and I love horses and the ranching life. Just don’t like it when people see some kids playing video games all the time and automatically label us all like that...

[@laneymoore4642]

I couldn’t agree more. I personally experience this all the time living as a 15 year old girl in 2022. People always assume that I am just a dumb kid who spends all her time on her phone when really my passions lie with the cowboy lifestyle that I’ve lived my whole life. History is also one of my favorite subjects and it fascinates me. People just don’t understand that all teenager’s aren’t the same.

[@walkshe]

I love Dave Stamey music and the photos by Stoecklein fit perfectly. The cowboy photo at 2:43 is of Idaho cowboys. The man standing 4th from the left with the spotted angora chaps is my best friends father. He passed away several years ago....one very hard working cowboy, as his daughter (my friend is). She can outride, out fence, out drink, out cuss most men I know, but has a heart of gold. God bless the Cowboys!

[@eddiekemp3]

I have too, and he has inspired me to take up guitar at age 58. If only I'd started 45 years ago, who knows, maybe we could be sharing a stage somewhere. Guess we're all dreamers in our own little worlds.

[@dianemink333]

Such a moving song. Almost takes a person back in time🤠

[@tatianaroveda]

This is dedicated to all the men who carry on this great tradition- They are still here..With a special thanks to the amazing talent of D.Stocklein and Dave Stamey. They are still here..

[@mariesheppard7188]

Beautiful song.

[@ScottyBr4700]

Another favorite!

[@tcooney46msncom]

Beautiful haunting tune. Hard to remember that vaqueros of southern California originally raised cattle for the "hide and tallow trade".

[@tcooney46msncom]

What a great sound...the simple guitar, spanish phrases and straightforward vocals are ideal for this haunting song.

[@manuelsanchezdeinigo3959]

¡Que Viva Los Caballeros y Vaqueros de Norte España, Nuevo México y México también! ¡Que Viva!

As my father lay on his deathbed he related a story about a camp trip that he and my mother, and some friends took in the Weminuche Wilderness; and when it was my mother's turn to pass from this life to the next she too told that story. Now it's going to get weird........ my aunt, the day before she died suddenly related a story to me------ of a camp trip. I believe that they are all together; catching brook trout on Pole Creek.

[@suzieparis6821]

squawcreekkid Beautiful

[@jtklein3953]

Everything is connected, you just have to find the connections

[@SteveCormier1]

Makes me wish I'd worked in Buckaroo country.

[@chrisbaxter1911]

this is flint i love this song

[@bluefeather2000]

Everywhere.....our souls reside everywhere. We truly do mingle with each grain of sand with the land that is our birth right. I agree....a truly riveting and hauntingly beautiful song.

[@newlungs49]

most moving /real DNA offered here

[@joanwernick6359]

So good.

[@aquillafleetwood8180]

I enjoy his playing...I play it too...great song...

[@koltenwells4857]

best song ever

[@grannydyess]

this is wonderful thank you

[@ВалентинаТимофеева-э4я]

Кавбои, крутые парни😎💪👋замечательная песня❤️

[@saluto1397]

his 'the skies of Lincoln County ' is another great great song

[@benl6121]

Dave Stamey is the Cormac McCarthy of country music.

[@tatianaroveda]

To Sqawcreekkid: its doesn't sound strange at all- they are of one spirit...someday ( hopefully many moons later) you too will tell the story....(aho...and so it is said.~Lakota~)

[@walkshe]

Jay Hoggan at 3:09 is also an Idaho cowboy from Terreton area. His father started the Hoggan Rodeo Company. Jay now owns/runs Red Eye Rodeo. At 4:15 is another shot of my girlfriend's father, Roy Swanson. He also worked for the Hoggan Rodeo Company.

[@vaqueromx2186]

Viva Mexico la tierra de los vaqueros 🇲🇽 M X 🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵

[@gilliangirl1]

Wow, very cool! Thanks for sharing your story :)

[@jerryw6699]

beautiful, thank you

[@betiinpunk]

todavia estoy aqui ,, im still here like it

[@vaqueritof7565]

Vaqueros were the creators of all this western style and rodeos & the California Vaquero was the best of the best

[@franceslambert8070]

I really like Dave Stamey.

[@hughelancaster1937]

Viva la Alta California!

[@saluto1397]

can anyone tell me the name of the cowboy n western song that has the words "...come one come all ..... saw them fall in the streets of Arkansas..' ....even Google was of no help.. I need your help

[@nedrakrodgers7976]

That song will be played while they scatter my ashes horseback. Hopefully not too soon.

[@mariajordan8100]

Mine too and yes hopefully not to soon .

[@gmwwc]

Quite a few of the images of people are hauntingly familiar. I wish they were identified.

[@atf5813]

I'm years late but I'm pretty sure the man at 0:20 is Canadian rancher and Western singer Ian Tyson.

[@DanaVarney]

I wouldn't mess with her.

[@PatoLoco-v3z]

En...Espaniolll!!👌👍💪

[@aandkv]

That's my family @@!!

[@jessegutierrez2341]

Everybody here is invited to the carne asadas!

[@DixieDodge99]

Does anyone know the name of the song that he sings that goes "Free and easy like the wind in your hair, free and easy that's going to get you there"?

[@sabelcalvo2811]

PODRE MAS A MEDIDA SAQNEN MAS GRACIAS ISABEL

[@captainkangaroo4301]

This is so good it could have been an Ian Tyson song.

[@bluefeather2000]

...y de la tierra! Son hombres verdades. Donde se fue nuestros hombres? ..buscalo en el cowboy.....

[@BobBoise67]

Cowboy Gathering at Heber City Utah coming up this week.

[@joshuabantum2888]

I'm very late to the game, but anyone know the chords to this?

[@PDXBlue1979]

WE ARE STILL HERE

[@notafrackinhippy3615]

0:20 isn't that a photo of Ian Tyson?

[@atf5813]

Pretty sure it is.

[@charlessrm978]

🇺🇲🇲🇽

[@JoniMarie1000]

@GypsyMay06 - have most of them figured out - will work on it and get back to you!

[@monrealfuma]

this song is Spanglish! O: !

[@carlosdelgado4870]

Looks more like white men in the pics than whom are the first and true Cowboys Mexicans the true Cowboys.

[@atf5813]

This is a very ignorant comment. There is a difference between the Mexicano vaquero and the Californian vaquero (which is what the song is about). Also, not all Mexicans look like the typical Latin people they are often stereotyped as. A LOT of Mexican people look very European. If you look up old paintings and photos of the traditional vaqueros you will notice that quite of few of them have lighter complexions. I think this whole thing where people get upset because the people in the video aren't dark enough to be of Hispanic descent is downright silly and racist (even if unintentionally).

[@grannydyess]

Great singer