Look out yonder. Cowboys comin’
Single file, ridin’ in
Break of day when gatherin’ started
Day’s now comin’ to an end

Sunburned men on tired horses
Ridin’ easy, ridin’ slow
Workin’ cowboys ridin’ quiet
Horses’ heads are swingin’ low

Work began before the dawning
Caught ‘em fresh by lantern light
Saddled up then grabbed a biscuit
Long trot out while it’s still night

After many miles of searchin’
Canyon rim and cedar mott
After many saddle hours
On a dusty day, and hot

Now and then a sprint to turn ‘em
Divin’ down a rocky slope
Rollin’ rocks and poppin’ cedars
Find a place to throw your rope

Swing and catch and lay a trip line
Tie ‘em down and climb back on
Gather one and then another
Till the gatherin’ time is gone

Then you turn your weary pony —
Neck and flanks a-sweat with foam —
Back toward that place you started
Back toward the barn and home

In at last, you pull the saddles
Turn ‘em loose and watch em roll
Give ‘em hay, and grain, and water
Hear the cook’s triangle toll

Meat ’n’ taters fill your belly
Tell your stories ‘bout your day
Do some mendin’, maybe readin’
Then it’s time to hit the hay

On the morrow, after breakfast
Strength renewed, and, with a grin
Sunburned men on fresh new horses
Will be ridin’ out again

© by Darrell Arnold.
Used here with the author's permission.