This song is supposed to follow more closely the tune of 'how great thou art'.  Try humming the end of the chorus.   The idea is that is SUPPOSED to be an obvious re-write of it.

So the song is about this working rancher who is upset that going to church cuts into his weekend.  As he's going about his chores, he's unconciously following the tune of a hymn.

The days grow short, they only grow the shorter
I don't have the time, that I used to do

I've spent my life, just working up so - as
I could strike out, when I got a mind to,

But I'd rather ride,
and ride and ride all day,
But I seldom do,
I seldom

And it's all packed, a weeks' worth of provisions,
I got a barn full up, of the finest tack

I'm a ready to go, there at a moments notice,
What's keeping me, well I wish I knew

Cause I could ride...

And sitting here, every single sunday
Is a lot to bear, but I always do

I don't need to hear, some fresh-faced city boy who's
only just out of divinity school

He talks of sheep, and these tales of sheperds,
don't mean much to me, we don't raise sheep around here

Why don't I ride, and ride, and ride away
I wish I knew, well I wish I knew

Cause I could ride, and ride, and ride away
But I seldom do, I seldom do