The poem consists of five stanzas, each with the rime-scheme ABABCDDED. It employs the cowboy dialect of losing the final “g” on present participles and uses “hawse” for “horse” and “mebbe” for “maybe.” The cowboy charm that infuses all cowboy poetry is lushly on display in this Christmas poem.
First Stanza: “The wind is blowin' cold down the mountain tips of snow”
The speaker describes the sights he encounters as he is “ridin' up the Christmas trail to you, / Old folks, / I'm a-ridin' up the Christmas trail to you.” He first mentions the wind that “is blowin’ cold,” and he sees the tops of the mountain are snow-capped. The flat land looks winter-brown with the dead plants, but the trees in the valley “wear the mistletoe,” and he is in a good mood “whistl[ing]” a tune as if it were spring weather.
He is happy to be going home for Christmas to his family, which he calls “Old folks” in the refrain of each stanza. The trail he usually takes to reach home he has named “the Christmas trail,” because it is a special ride heralding a happy reunion.
Second Stanza: “Oh, mebbe it was good when the whinny of the Spring”
The speaker then reminisces as he rides, thinking back to what he did in spring: bar-hopping and camping outdoors under “a roof of stars.” But his journey home reminds him that his “campfire light only dances for a night.” The “home-fires” are kept burning always, and always welcoming the adventurer back to their love and stability
He therefore repeats his slightly varied refrain: “So 'round the year I circle back to you, / Old folks, / 'Round the rovin' year I circle back to you.”
Third Stanza: “Oh, mebbe it was good when the reckless Summer sun”
The speaker then recalls his summer exploits of “fightin’ and fun” among the wild horse that “drifted from the plains,” He again enjoyed his time around the campfires, eating hot stew cooked out of doors.
But again he comes back to the present journey back home, and this time he avers that he is “lovin' every mile” that brings him back to the “Good folks,” who wait for him at home.
Fourth Stanza: “Oh, mebbe it was good at the roundup in the Fall”
The speaker then describes the good times he had at the “roundup in the Fall.” He felt a burst of pride to be able to participate in such a physically challenging event, but he later realized after becoming “weary eyed” that he would be glad to get back home to rest from such hard physical labor. Thus, “he dreamed himself along a trail to you, / Old folks, / Dreamed himself along a happy trail to you.”
Fifth Stanza: “The coyote's Winter howl cuts the dusk behind the hill”
Now it is winter and he approaching his family home; he colorfully describes the scene with “The coyote's Winter howl cuts the dusk behind the hill, / But the ranch's shinin' window I kin see.” He then humbly claims that he does not deserve the warmth that awaits him, but he will be very grateful to receive it.
Having grown tired of new adventures, at least for a while, he is happy to be “ridin' up the Christmas trail to you, / Old folks, / I'm a-ridin' up the Christmas trail to you.”
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