Happy Trails

Happy Trails Upon the floor I lay, Glued to the black and white TV set: In my western patterned flannel pj’s, Toting a cap-gun holstered at the waist, And a whistle tethered To my cowboy hat chinstrap. With my hands cradling my face, And my arms bent at the elbows To support the weight, And my restless legs waving With my bare feet fluttering, I watched the Lone Ranger And his sidekick, Tonto. Round up outlaws To bring to justice In the old wild west. He wore a white hat And covered his face with a mask. And loaded silver bullets Into his peacemaker's chambers. Unafraid of dying In my childhood mind; And I cheered for the Lone Ranger When he galloped down the road, At the end of the show Shouting, “Hi-Yo Silver! Away!” But Roy Rogers was my hero, And Dale Evans was the girl I adored. Because he sat tall in the saddle And cast a long shadow, When he rode on Trigger, On the Double R Bar Ranch. His throat was bone-dry But his eyes glittered, When he sang campfire songs, Under the California sky. And she sat tall in the saddle When she rode on Buttermilk, And trotted right up To the carrot in my heart. And she said, “Buckle up buckaroo If you want to be my hero. Dust yourself off now, And get back in there.” She was the girl I adored. And I would watch Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Ride Into the sunset At the end of the show. They would wave their hats While singing ‘Happy Trails’ (And say, “See you tomorrow.”). He was my hero, And she was the girl I adored. And I knew there would be a tomorrow, And I would never grow old: Watching the Roy Rogers And Dale Evans show.