Thanks to Sweet William Ennis of Palatka, Florida, for writing and performing his Folk song, “Suwannee Cracker Cowboys,” at the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest 2025. Billy also handled sound.
https://wwals.net/pictures/songwriting2025

About Billy Ennis:

“Sweet William” Ennis is a singer-songwriter who has lived in Palatka Florida for over three decades. His personally original songs written over the span of fifty years covers multi genres and subjects including the environment, love & war with a heavy dose of Blues. 2019 quarter finalist in the Memphis International Blues Challenge, 2021 Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest 1st place winner and 2018 Santa Fe River Song Contest 3rd place winner, Sweet William is very active in the Florida music community and recognized for organizing volunteer music events supporting soup kitchens, assisted living facilities and worthy fund raisers.

Sweet William Ennis, Palatka, FL, with a Folk song, 2025-09-06, Suwannee Cracker Cowboys, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest

About Billy’s song:

The Suwannee Cowboys, a tour through Suwannee Basin’s Cracker History.

Here’s Sweet William Ennis singing his song:
https://youtu.be/HqpYrufXq4E?si=PQtLUgZGmSiO2kff

Lyrics for “Suwannee Cracker Cowboys” by Sweet William Ennis:

Suwannee Cracker Cowboys
hunting Cracker Cows all day
in the bush along Suwannee’s banks,
the bogs, swamps and bays

They learned the way from the Seminoles
Ahaya was his name
Cowkeeper of the old Spanish herd,
He earned that Cracker name.
Sometimes they rode together
south on the Cracker Trail
Driving the herd to market

A Suwannee Cracker Cowboy tail.
Crack that whip, Suwannee Cowboy sound
Turn the herd, you’re market bound!

Conquistadors brought their Cattle,
five hundred years in the past,
Bred to bear the sweltering heat
and thrive on dried up Suwannee grass.
When the Spanish left in haste, Ahaya took command

Cracker cows and ponies, Seminole Cowboy men.
Crack that whip, Suwannee Cracker sound
Turn the herd you’re market bound!

Suwannee Cracker Cowboys their Cracker Ponies never fail,
hunting wayward Cracker Cows down the Cracker Trail.
Cracker Cows were lean and fast, bred tough and very smart
The Suwannee Cowboys were tougher, with Cracker spirit and Cracker heart.
Crackerr Ponies were so special, as were those Cracker Cows

Throw down Suwannee Cowboy, the Cracker Cattle Drive is now!
Crack that whip, Suwannee Cowboy sound
Turn the herd, you’re market bound! (2x)

Music and lyrics are copyright by their authors.

WWALS has rights only to use them in conjunction with this event.

Lyrics, Suwannee Cracker Cowboys, by Sweet William Ennis
PDF

Thanks to those who came to WWALS River Revue 2025, and who participated in the silent auction.

Thanks to all the sponsors!

Sponsors Poster –WWALS River Revue 2025

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

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