The Cowboy

He went in search of adventure; a wondering soul
Set his sights on becoming a cowboy; that was his goal
He learned to ride and lasso; with a six-gun he was darn good
Was a buddy to fellow cow-hands, ‘cause he thought he should

As he was out on the range, riding happy and free
He would sing to his horse, though a bit off key
He’d think of what he’d do, when the long trail-drive was through
Get a hot bath, eat a good steak, and relax with some ‘brew’

Only it happened sometimes, at the end of the trail
He’d wind up in a fight, and end up in jail
He’d play his harmonica as the cattle would feed
His roving spirit was as wild as a tumbleweed

But he met a good woman, and took a notion to settle down
So he bought a little ranch—with it came an old hound
When he got old, he looked back on the years
Remembering the good times, he’d shed a few joyous tears

Then he would hoist a grand-kid up on his knee
To tell him stories under the big oak tree
And when he finally took that last long ride
He knew the Almighty would be there, by his side ...

— Jay Harman
Parkersburg, WV