Two Days out of Big Spring
Two days out of Big Spring he stopped to take a rest
The trail was all behind him now, he headed south by west
He knew the one he’d left behind no longer called his name
No doubt she’d moved and settled down. No doubt he was to blame.
His problem wasn’t all that odd, the same as many men
His restless soul just wasn’t made for home cooked meals and kin
A good strong horse with speed and fire was what he’d settle for
He longed to smell the Lodgepole pines and hear the rapids roar
A drover’s job to get a stake for just a month or two
and then one morning he’d ride off, just like he said he’d do.
Some time spent with the cavalry when things were pretty thin,
convinced him that a soldier’s life just wasn’t meant for him
He panned for gold a ways up North and liked to froze his hide.
Lost two good mules and one good friend, it pained him when he died.
And after all these years he knew it probably wasn’t long.
That old Comanche wound sure ached whenever rain came on.
So he headed back to Big Spring to see it one last time.
To feel some good old Texas dust and bask in sweet sunshine.
His roaming days were through at last. Time to settle down.
So he headed back to Big Spring, that small West Texas town.
When he woke beside that little stream he felt just like a boy.
That little rest was just the thing. His heart was filled with joy.
Then he saw the stranger. He was standing much too near.
“Now how’d that feller sneak up here?” he thought, but without fear.
The feller had a righteous smile and reached out with his hand.
“You headed for Big Spring?”, he asked, and helped the cowboy stand.
“Yup. Two days out. Just one more look was what I had in mind”
The Stranger smiled again and said, “Well now, that sounds just fine”.
“But if you’d care to walk with me I know a nicer place”.
And the cowboy saw that in the dust his boots had left no trace.
He smiled at that. Now wasn’t that a wondrous thing to see?
As the stranger stopped and beckoned him up by an ironwood tree.
So he followed him without a care as if they both had wings.
Somehow he plumb forgot about his aim to see Big Spring.
And the stranger spoke as they walked up toward blue sky and sweet sunshine,
“I’ll take you to the Trailboss. I think you’ll like him fine.”
