Turkey and trimmings, such as they were,

were polished off fast by the ranch hands for sure

A whole half day off and some cider and pie

And a glance toward the peaks reaching up to the sky

As the sun sank down low and the temperature dropped

A fiddle was brought out and the stud players stopped

And everyone sang loud and hooted away

Right pleased to have friends on this Thanksgiving day

Not a fancy affair like the cities back east

It was homespun and homegrown and a wonderful feast

Those boys at the Bar J knew when to kneel down

And thank Him above that they lived out of town

Out where the tumbleweeds danced along free

And the coyotes would sing at the moon with such glee

Out where a man could breathe deep in his soul

Where the night was all diamonds sprinkled over black coal

Now some folks give thanks for all that they’ve made

By digging up sweet yellow gold with a spade

The Barons give thanks for money and fame

And if other men suffer, well they’re not to blame

But cowboys give thanks just for being alive

They flock to the bunkhouse like bees to a hive

Thankful in knowing that their pards have their back

And thankful to keep on a simple life’s track

To stand for what’s right and not give an inch

To lay down your life for a friend in a pinch

To be thankful for biscuits and coffee and beans

Just might be a little bit more than it seems

When the weather moved in on the following day

Some went to the line camps to winter away

Some drifted south to the big winter range

To meet back in Spring when the snows turned to rains

Moving off slowly alone or in groups

Chaps rustled softly on lariat loops

But each smiled a bit as he rode away hard

And turned and said softly, “Thanks again Pards”.

Thanks