Cowboy Hats and Boots

There ain't nothin' a cowboy is prouder of than his faithful horse, Except that is, maybe his hat and his pointy-toed boots of course! In sleet, snow and rain he'll pull the old hat down over his ears, As he stands guard over the restless herd of skittish steers! He'll wear his old sweat-stained hat to Saturday night dances, And to protect him from the sun and rain while fixin' fences. At the end of day he'll guzzle a coupl'a beers, his thirst to slake, Plantin' his boots on the brass rail with his pards to take a break! He'll wear his old slouch hat from dawn 'til at night he hits the hay, Never doffin' it for nothin' 'cept if'n a pretty lady passes his way, Or use it to water his hoss and feed him oats is the other exception! For the niceties of society and the social graces he has little affection! Maybe he can't afford a fancy pair of them Levi or Wrangler jeans, And he must tolerate Cooky's tiresome chuck of bacon and beans, But when it comes to his hat and boots he won't compromise. The hat must be a Stetson and Tony Lama boots are what he buys! He throwed his leg over his saddle horn one day and had this to say: "Boys, when I come to the end of the trail and cash in my chips someday, I don't want you fellers a-carryin' on and a-bellerin when I'm gone. Jes' promise you'll bury me in my dusty hat and scruffy boots and carry on!" Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired © All Rights Reserved