Cisco Houston was a balladeer and folksinger whose life and songs bridged the generations. Guitar in hand, he traveled all over America, absorbing the sounds of his time, translating those sounds into folksongs. In 1961, at the age of 42, Cisco's life was cut short by cancer. But the tragedy of Cisco's death made many people realize how fine a singer this troubled man from Colorado really was. Shortly after Cisco's death, work was begun on this collection of his songs. Seventy of Cisco's best songs have been transcribed directly from records and tapes. Here are western songs, and road songs, and lonesome blues, and songs of hard work and loving women: Diamond Joe · Stewball · Great July Jones · Mule Skinner Blues · Stagolee · Intoxicatd Rat · Hobo Bill · Rambling Gamblin Man · Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor · and many more. Some of the people who knew Cisco best have written about him for this book. Introductory articles by Woody Guthrie, Lee Hays, Moses Asch, and others-plus appropriate illustrations throughout-make this book a lasting tribute to one of our finest folksingers.