Headin' Home

The cowboy crossed a leg on the saddle

While his horse drank from the creek.

Then he cast an eye

To the evening sky

And rubbed his hand on his whiskered cheek.


He listened to the water as it rushed

Past limb and sand and stone.

The tree limbs were bare,

And a chill in the air

Meant summer had come and gone.


Soon snow would come to the plains

And wind would drift it high.

And he’d take his turn

To make the stove burn

On the cold long winter nights.


But, today he was movin' stock

He placed his foot in the stirrup again.

And nudged the cows along

Toward their winter home

The thought of supper made him grin.


He turned up his collar, closed the gate,

Mounted, and headed back alone.

With hot food on a plate and

A girl were awaitin’.

He started at a trot for home.