INDIAN RODEO QUEEN. Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera. Performed by Lyz Jaakola & Brent Michael Davids. Lyrics by Juanita Pahdopony & Brent Michael Davids, Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved.

LYRICS

When daylight breaks and dust packs my nose,
A horse is loose, and my burden basket is pushing back.
The earth calls my name, and I brush off my crown.

I’m tacking up my dreams each year; riding is my sweet almanac.
Ro-de-o, the dearest grounds I take to heart. (Sister said) 
Don’t you know, climbing on is the easy part.

Under midday sun, tiny mutton busters ride.
The kids and everyone are crazy to ride, ‘cause no one’s immune. 
You pullin’ for the cowboy, or pullin’ for the bull?
Hey! Lunch is piping hot, it’s beans and frybread tacos at noon.
Ro-de-o, I laugh and learn to get along. (Momma said) 
Don’t you know, when kinfolk are here, we sing a song.

Ro-de-o, it’s days like this I walk on air. (Gramma said) 
Don’t you know, we’d rather be here than anywhere.

I am Queen tonight, and my horse is under me.
I twilight ride with my nation’s flag and a beaded crown.

I’m center stage meeting eager family,
The sunset lights me in my finest cowboy gear; it’s my evening gown.

I’m jumping up and down! Don’t you know, Ro-de-o.

Evening stars dance and sparkle in our eyes. Don’t you know. 
Milky Way, your cosmic pageants hypnotize. Ro-de-o.
Eye the stars and ground your feet, word to the wise. Don’t you know. 
Roping you and me together is the prize. Ro-de-o.
Don’t you know, Ro-de-o.

​John Lennon's "IMAGINE" performed by David Lockington (cello), Brent Michael Davids (quartz flute) and Dan Barker (piano). Pre Covid-19, this flute-cello-piano arrangement was originally scheduled for a 16 May 2020 concert, by Northwest Sinfonietta, to be premiered by conductor/cellist David Lockington and composer/flutist Brent Michael Davids at the Rialto Theater in Tacoma, WA. Stay tuned for updates & potential rescheduling. In response to the pandemic, Dan Barker, Brent Michael Davids & David Lockington independently added their instruments to this special recorded version. Arr. by Brent Michael Davids, Piano Arr. by Dan Barker.

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