A band that is soiled by sweat and dirt
On a hat that is weathered and worn.
Rubber strands wrapped again and again
'Round the base of a saddle horn.

His dog asleep in the sunshine,
Dreamin' of workin' cows again
Raises an ear at sounds of a footstep,
Wondering where the cowboy has been.

A corral full of good looking horses,
Content to much on their hay.
A rope coiled for the last time
By hands that had earned their pay.

All reminders of a cowboy
Whose life was cut short in its prime.
Daily threads of his life unraveled
To help us remember a happier time.

The hat can remind us of his roping
Steers called for by the nod of his brim.
Now he's made it to the short go,
His partner named Jesus and him.

The saddle and rope are trademarks
Of the cowboy's lifestyle and work.
Calves roped and dragged to the fire
Or stopped in mid-stride with a jerk.

His dog was his constant companion,
Helping with work no hired wrangler could do,
Waiting patiently in the pickup,
Until his cowboy was clearly through.

But of all the reminders left of this cowboy,
The best are the ones here today,
The friends, the family, and memories
The can treasure in their hearts each day.