Prairie Chicken Pete - Song Page
© words & music by Annie Wilson
from the album Out on the Tallgrass Prairie
Album Note:
The listener feels Pete’s anxiety and excitement as hikes up to the prairie lek, determined to dance and boom his way to romance.
This song celebrates the remarkable springtime ritual of this critical prairie species, even ending with some actual recording of prairie chicken booming sounds.
Prairie chicken numbers are in steep decline, and important point of song is that “we need more Prairie Chickens like Prairie Chicken Pete!”
We need to preserve large areas of intact grassland, away from invasive trees and development.
Recording of booming is courtesy of Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Above photo is courtesy of Pixabay
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LYRICS:
Prairie Chicken Pete rose early
well before sun rise,
Thinkin’ here’s the day that I’ll be wed.
I’ll win my prairie prize.
Pete gathered all his courage
as he hiked up to the lek.
He practiced puffing out the sacs
on each side of his neck.
But he worried when he got up top
and saw those other males,
Their wings spread low and feathers up
around their necks and tails.
Each was strutting back and forth
to stand out from the rest.
They stomped & boomed with all their might
to show that they’re the best.
In this prairie chicken ritual,
the females are the choosers.
The girl decides the boy she wants
while others are the losers.
Sometimes there’d almost be a fight
though no one would get hurt.
The males faced-off and jumped so high
they’d raise a little dirt.
The boys and Pete danced desperately
showing off their wares,
while hens were gathered round the sides
pretending not to care.
Then behind some grass,
Pete saw Patty - pretty as you please.
He caught her looking back at him.
He fell right to his knees.
But up he rose and filled his cheeks
and boomed a long ooo-looo.
It echoed cross the prairie
to show his love was true.
Would she choose him for her man?
Will his quest be done?
Or have his efforts been in vain –
he’ll never be the one.
Then Patty stepped out from the edge
and walked right up to Pete.
She bowed and spread her wings to give
that special meet and greet.
So they went off for their wedding day
and proved their love was true.
Soon Patty left to build her nest
and start her life anew.
Now I hope you won’t think less of Pete,
but frankly it’s the truth.
That very same day Pete went back
and wed a hen named Ruth.
This is simply nature’s way
though it may seem indiscreet.
To grow all the chicks that we can get
from boys like Chicken Pete.
Cause without the Prairie Chickens,
Our prairie’s not complete.
We need more Prairie Chickens
like Prairie Chicken Pete.
So-when-you’re walking in the prairie
on a day in early Spring.
Perhaps a far-off booming sound
across the hills will ring.
Imagine all the prairie chickens
yearning for a mate.
Up there dancing hard as they can dance –
just to get a date!