Lord, I'M Ready

Grew up a country bumpkin, known the freedom that entails, worked hard to make a livin', walked down some dusty trails. Ma an' Pa was hard on me, said it was for my good, but I lit out real early just to prove to them I could. Did some drinkin' in my early days, an' had a wife or two, but now I just got my ol' horse an' a ornery dog named Blue. I've lived the life I wanted an' done most ever'thing, have few regrets or heartaches so I really can't complain. The sky's my roof above me, a campfire keeps me warm, my bed is straw an' saddlebags, an' bath, a country storm. Drink water from the rivers clear that fill from creek an' stream, eat jerky, hard-tac biscuits, an' drink coffee without cream. Ain't no call for cussin' 'cause no one's 'round to hear, my temper done got simmered an' replaced with dad-blame fear. My hair is gettin' thin now, bones creak more ever'day, but I can still punch cattle, brand them doogies, an' buck hay. If I should die tomorrow, I'll be glad to meet that train for God's seen fit in all His grace to let me have the reins. I'll ride them clouds in Heaven, an' sleep in if I please, I'll praise the Lord before me as I get down on my knees. All my troubles will be over, won't even mind the rain, 'cause God'll keep me sheltered from all this earthly pain. So, let me never be forgettin' how grand a life I've had 'cause I've loved ever' minute, an' it sure ain't been that bad.