Nov 22, 1993 Branded

Like a wild mustang on the range,

I roamed life without a plan.

Christians seemed to be so strange.

I swore I'd never wear that brand.

No one could put a saddle on me.

Many tried, but they ended up in the dust.

I was wild and I thought I was free.

Never did I see the chains of sin and lust.

Then one day the Master found me starving on the plain.

I saw love in His eyes and peace in His face.

I couldn't resist, my heart had such pain.

I quietly let Him rope my neck with Grace.

He touched me with a nail scarred hand.

A drop of His blood totally cleansed me.

I now wear the old Rugged Cross Brand.

My chains are gone and I am truly free.

Satan had rustled and branded me with sin.

He deceived me into thinking I had a good deal.

His venom wasted this man from within

And placed on my soul his Hellish seal.

Let Jesus bring you back to His Salvation Ranch.

He'll give you a reason to lift up a joyful hand.

Don't pass up what could be your last chance

To wear that blessed old Rugged Cross Brand.

Feb 4, 1994 Trail of Heartbreak

Alone on the dusty trail he rode,

Upon his shoulders he bore a heavy load.

The pain in his eyes was easy to see.

Happiness from his heart long ago did flee.

As he winds his way on his weary course,

The only ones he can trust is his faithful horse

And the Colt six shooter hanging by his side.

The dreams of his youth have withered and died.

No longer does he sing Yippie-ki-yi-ti-yo

Like he did as a young cowboy in life's rodeo.

To many years drowning sorrow in beers

Have drained his eyes of their flow of tears.

The love of his life his faithful vows did scorn

So he spent his life driving the Texas longhorn.

Years slowly passed but his heart never did mend.

He prays that each day will be his trail's end.

Oh listen, young cowboy, to his tale of woe.

Beware as you come out of the chute in your rodeo.

Guard your heart and from the bars stay away

Or you'll spend your life as an old lonely stray.

Jul 18,1994 Dusty Trails

He lived the life of a cowboy

Now he's just too old to ride.

The years have taken away his joy

And now they're beating on his pride.

He loved the Rodeo

And for those days his heart pines

As he sits staring on the front porch

As if looking for Heavenly signs.

His face is worn and wrinkled

Like the Stetson hat he wears.

There are lines on his face

For each of his worldly cares.

There's no young person to listen

To the stories that must be told.

Lord, it's Hell for a spirit so free

To be trapped in a body so old.

He once was a hero

That men told of in their tales

Now those days are just memories

Of good horses and dusty trails.

He mouths his harmonica

And plays a mournful song.

The young cowpuncher in his soul

Never knew days so long.

Then one night as he listens

To that old lonely whip-poor-will,

The trail comes to an end

And his cowboy heart lies still.

His pardners gather around and yell

As the Parson bows his head to pray.

They let loose a volley because they know

That today the cowboy just rides away.

Aug 15, 1994 Young Gun

I know you think you're mighty tough, Son.

I've watched how you twirl that old six gun.

Just be real careful or it won't be very long

'Til the Navajos are singin' your death song.

You say I'm yellow and I don't understand

How you're the fastest draw in the land.

You're lookin' for a fight and I know you will

Be endin' up in a plot on Boot Hill.

I've been in a quite a few showers of hot lead.

I quit countin' the men that I have shot dead.

I made children orphans and widows cry

'Til I longed for the day I would die.

You say, ain't that a shame and it's just so sad,

But it's 1860 and times sure are bad.

I'll see you on Boot Hill; I've got time to wait

Since that Lawman laid me low in '58.

Sep 24, 1994 Colt 45

A cowboy knew how to survive

When danger would come around.

He'd draw his old Colt .45

And put his enemy in the ground.

Sometimes heartbreak comes around

And it's a fight to stay alive.

You try to shoot that old memory down

By drawing out a cold Colt 45.

The cowboy's foe would lie in the dust

As he turned his horse and rode away.

Yet, even if it was right and just

He'd relive it every night and day.

His Colt .45 helped him to live on.

My cold one helps me to forget.

His enemy is dead, but not gone.

I haven't buried my memory, yet.

Colt 45's are easy to draw

Though they don't solve nothing at all.

You still have the pain in your heart

And they never let your memory rest.

Oct 1, 1994 Cowboy Up!

Be very careful what you say or do

Or some committee will be coming after you.

I'm tired of folks whining like a hungry pup.

Come on America, it's time to Cowboy Up!

Our ancestors came to a rough, untamed land

And faced their hardships like a woman and a man.

We once matured into gentlemen and ladies.

Now, we're raising spoiled, crying babies.

When times got rough, we took it on the chin.

Now, we want someone to blame and a lawyer who can win.

Groups abound so we are quickly defended

When we lack back bone and are so easily offended!

When a rider's been thrown and he starts to feel down.

His pardners say, "Cowboy Up!" to bring him back around.

There are too many lazy folks rattling their cup.

Come on, America, it's time to Cowboy Up!

We surely have our problems and we so easily sin,

But nothing will change unless we all chip in.

One day there will be no table at which you can sup

Unless Americans quit their cryin' and COWBOY UP!

Dec 30, 1994 Texas Eagle

The Texas Eagle rolls through the heartland

And I hold my sleepin' Dahlin's hand.

My favorite country singer is fillin' up my ears

While I reflect on my life's smiles and tears.

Tellin' my neighbors some of my life's tales

Helps to pass the hours ridin' these steel rails.

Passing by those dormant fields of wheat,

I can hear America's steady heart beat.

Refrain

It's the folks in these old small towns

And not the high falutin' Wall Street clowns

That made this country when it was great.

And they'll do it again, you just wait.

You can keep your big city wit and charm.

Put me back down home on the farm.

I'd be with folks who are just what you see

Watchin' the Texas Eagle roll by and proud to be free.

May 19, 1995 West Texas Heaven

I found the peace that I was needin'

In the West Texas town called Eden.

A little further down the road in old San Angelo,

The views prepared me for that heavenly glow.

God loves Texas and tucks it in bed at night

With a soft blanket of clouds. Oh, what a sight!

I've got wide open spaces where I can roam

Just like the vastness of that eternal home.

CHORUS

Texas must be a lot like glory

Where I'll be singin' the old, old story.

Where God finger paints in the big blue sky

And the soul passes over never more to die.

A man can settle down in a place like Ranger.

Away from the big city noise and danger.

There's no way a man can be more free

Except for when he kneels at Calvary.

Sinner, friend you may never ride the plains with me,

But turn and gaze right now upon that old rugged tree.

Call upon Jesus to save you then you'll know

Heaven's where you'll land when thrown from life's rodeo.

CHORUS

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