• A dude is a city slicker who doesn't know how to ride a horse
• Dude string is a parody on the cowboy terms Rough String, or just String, meaning a string of horses
• Pony quitting the trail means he has run off away from the group
• You are not supposed to let your horse eat while the horse is working
• Waving something like a jacket can spook the horses, a very bad thing in a group

Well I run myself a dude string
Out here on the eastern slope
I got horses, mules and sway back nags
And I dang near givin' up hope
Of ever keepin' my head above water
It's enough to make you loose your mind
Them dudes show up with a credit card
And I listen to 'em as they whine

And I lead 'em up the canyon
With my hat low over my eyes
My old pards from the buckaroo days
Wouldn't know me in this disguise
For I use to be hell and hardy
And now I'm thin and pale
From showin' these gunsels the heart of the west
On the dad blamed dude string trail

And I said don't let em eat, step in the seat
We'll stop so you can take a piture
And if your pony tries to quit the trail
Just shout and I'll come and get ya
Well son don't wave that jacket around
Lady could you calm your little girl down
Well they don't bounce much when they hit the ground
Out here on the dude string trail

Every one of 'ems an expert horseman
Ready to astound you with what they know
There's house wives 'n sailor's and CPAs
And ever one of 'em use to ride rodeo
They show up in skirts 'n sandals
And shorts way up on their thighs
And they thump 'em with their heals
And they jerk on the rains
And them ponies just role their eyes

And I said don't let 'em eat, step in the seat
We'll stop so you can take a piture
And if your pony tries to quit the trail
Just shout and I'll come and get ya
Well son don't wave that jacket around
Lady could you calm your little girl down
Well they don't bounce much when they hit the ground
Out here on the dude string trail

One day I'm goin to sell out
And I'm gettin' me a place in town
Where the mules don't bray
And the horses don't nay
And there ain't no dudes around
And I'll dig ditches
And I'll clean sewers
N' pick up litter fer pay
So long as I'm one hundred fifty miles
From any place I might have to say

Don't let 'em eat, step in the seat
We'll stop so you can take a piture
And if your pony tries to quit the trail
Just shout and I'll come and get ya
Well son don't wave that jacket around
Lady could you calm your little girl down
Well they don't bounce much when they hit the ground
Out here on the dude string trail

Yo-de-le-o do-loe-o-e