Westward Ho'

In the 1600's, Europeans lived on the eastern shore Their numbers grew, they wanted more. Iroquios, Sauk, Ottawa, and Mohawk were tribes they met Too many and more, paid our forefathers' debt. Men moved west thru the Cumberland gap Daniel Boone led them, wearing a coonskin cap. Freedom's new country was born in 1776 The indians, however, did not fit our mix. Lewis and Clark sought a Northwest Passage route Rivers to cross, mountains to climb, animals to shoot. An indian girl helped them gain their fame Sackagewa led them, though few remember her name. Two years of exploring to the western shore They brought back tall tales, maps, journals, and more. With many a tribe did they speak Here were the Mandan, Ojibway, and Creek. By 1845 "Manifest Destiny" was the phrase being coined More indian lands were to be purloined. In the south, Houston, Austin, and others too "Texicans" all, under the one star flag they flew. It was not easy to take Santa Anna"s land Travis, Bowie, and Crockett went to lend a hand. They died in a mission on the San Antonio line Today, "The Alamo" is still their shrine. Missouri to Kansas to California men went Their golden passion in mines to vent. new states joined as the country grew Lines of covered wagons rolled on anew. Something was amiss by 1852 Going west now, seemed wrong to do. The south was rampant with Slavery's scourge Making men free, would take more that courage. Lincoln was President, a Civil War, the country bled Hundreds of Thousands died, eager for it to be shed. Four years of war, death and destruction Followed by a euphomistic "Reconstruction". Names of the west now tripped off the tongue Dodge, Wichita, Hayes, and Tombstone's tale of the gun. Hard men faced each other's will Some of them end...up at "Boot Hill". Cody, Hickock, Custer, and Earp were names that were said So were Clanton, the James Boys, Hardin, and Billy the Kid. The Cherokee and other indians now came into view Apache, Cheyenne, Commanche, and not least the Sioux. Pony Express, Overland Stage, Chisholm Trail were names we knew Moving men and cattle, as the western legends grew. Then, a seal on the joint was made At Promontory Point, a golden spike was laid. The west is part of our unique history 200 years of a nation, men longing to be free. Listen in the winds around you that blow Pehaps you will hear it whisper, "Westward Ho!" God Bless America!!