For the Country Life

Sunset on the boulevard, the river's moon on rise; Children tucked into their beds, sleep heavy in the eyes. The supper dishes are clean, cattle are bedded down; Radio's played the last song and curtains are turned down. All the village will now sleep in peaceful country rest, And they'll dream of coming days when crops and stocks are blessed. They'll awake as church bells ring and gather, old and young; When the sermon is finished, Sunday's roast will be done. Through the years changes occur, seasons come, seasons go; Often time the burning sun, then freezing winds that blow. Changes, too, throughout the young; some will be college bound While others are tied to soil, on farms they will be found. In small towns and on the farms hands on hearts, flags unfurled; That was when a man's handshake was his word for the world. Yet today so much remains of yesterday's country, Like steadfast values of life that keep this land still free.