Wild Horse

"Wild Horse" – music and lyrics by Wilfred Kozub Wilfred Kozub – vocals, keyboards Jamie Philp – guitar I never did meet Ian Tyson, but I did have a very small connection with him. Several years ago – I think it was 1997 – I read an article in the Edmonton Journal about Ian Tyson. In the article, Tyson said something about wanting to make a jazz album. I had just written a song called "Wild Horse," and it entered my mind that Ian Tyson might be interested in hearing it. The song had a bit of a jazz flavour to it, but the lyrics had something to do with leaving the life of a cowboy behind for the big city. In the end, the character in the song expresses that you can’t really take the cowboy out of the man. I found a contact for Ian’s manager … or maybe it was his publisher. I sent him a letter about the Journal article I had read and about my song. I told him that the idea behind the lyrics in the song ‘sounded’, to me, like an Ian Tyson western song with a jazz influence. I asked for permission to send him the song on a cassette tape. He replied to me saying, “why don’t you send it to Ian yourself,” and he supplied me with Ian’s address. I did send my song to Tyson, with the same explanation that I gave to his representative. Some time later, I received a nice personal reply from him, saying the song was good and that he would hold onto it for consideration. I was so pleased that Ian sent me this kind response. I don’t think he ever actually recorded the song, but I held off on doing anything with it myself. It was certainly enough for me to get a letter from Ian Tyson. I have received rejection letters for my music so many times, and it was refreshing to receive these encouraging words from such a fine songwriter and performing talent. RIP Ian Tyson, and thank you for giving my song the time of day. So here is my original demo recording of Wild Horse as I sent it to the legendary songwriter, Ian Tyson. I have never released it on any kind of record, and I’m not sure that I ever will.