It’s hard to say just what it was about Duke

There were bigger and handsomer men

But when he walked on, the audience smiled

They knew things would happen just then

Wasn’t raised as a cowboy, didn’t serve in the War

Just rode across that big old screen

And somehow you knew for an hour or two

You’d become just like him in your dreams

He was just a plain man, maybe taller than some

Had kind of an odd looking stride

What the heck was it that made him stand out

And filled your heart somehow with pride?

He was what we all wanted to be as a lad

He stood for America’s best

The strength and honor he showed on the screen

Prepared more than one boy for the test

In good times and bad he stood for us all

Unashamed to wave that flag high

A constant reminder to stand for what’s right

He brought tears to more than one eye

Though he’s gone now and only his memory remains

Preserved on celluloid rolls

Gazing out at the prairie I remember his face

And I know for whom the bell tolls

I can still hear his voice in the strong canyon winds

“Well Pilgrim?”, I hear that voice ask

And I make a decision, and I stick to my guns

And I try to stay strong for the task

Just an old actor who made cowboy flicks

Some say he was just playing parts

His words were just scripted. Well maybe that’s true

But his spirit stays strong in our hearts

DUKE