A cowboy always needs his trusty horse
Earlier, we explored the great importance of the part played by the horse in winning the west. The stories that have been handed down and told over and over about amazing feats that were accomplished by the horse and its cowboy as America spread toward the Pacific Ocean are legendary.
The truth was bruised in many if not all of the stories. But this era of the cowboy brought out the best in every storyteller’s imagination.
Publications called “Penney Dreadfuls” embellished these sometime already exaggerated tales of heroic men and animals. And the public was as hungry for these magnificent escapades as they were for the beef that was trailed from south Texas to markets in the north and east.
Great ranches were built throughout Texas and the western United States. The stories of heroes flourished, and the world was like a sponge demanding more of the fascinating narratives from the old west.
Books and movies swept across the land, music danced across the plains, and cowboy poetry spread fledgling wings as Western history developed. And though the fame of the cowboy happened in a relatively short time period, and cowboy life still lives today and will as long as the world has breath, the heritage of the old west cowboy lives on in the minds and the dreams of young and old alike.
Because cowboys and western folks have lived in and through harsh times, they often used those circumstances to grow in character with an inner strength brought about by courage and a belief in God.
They believed that He created them and gave them the right to stand strong in the face of adversity. They would often rely upon a helping hand from a friend or stranger, knowing that if confronted with similar circumstances, they would be the one to offer the helping hand.
That seems to be the mindset of those who forged our great Nation from the East Coast to the West Coast and points throughout the world.
Having a “can do” attitude and a willing heart helps you to mold a life that your fellow man can look up to.
It also offers you a chance to be a shining light in the life of others as you apply the strength that can only come from a much-needed friend. And the beauty of this is that is exactly what God intended with the great commandment found in Matthew 22: 37-39 “37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
This becomes a part of the “Code of the West.” A solid westerner was known as one that would do to ride the river with
HE’LL DO TO RIDE THE RIVER WITH
Wal, he’d shore ‘nuff paid the price
and he’d naturally passed the test
so they knowed he was the kind of man
that was needed to tame the West.
Whar he come from didn’t matter
nor deeds he’d done in the past.
Fer a western man must be brave
an’ his word good to the very last.
Now them pedigrees have their place
‘cuz most times, that’s how stock is known
but the bloodlines of a feller’s past
don’t hold water… jest the seeds that he’s sown
He’d have to face each day that comes
no matter whether they wuz bad ‘er good
An’ all the dreams an’ hopes fer times ahead
help him plot the path on which he stood.
Thar’ll always be a reason ‘er a need
To work with yore fellow man.
So face up, be honest an’ true
An’ always… ride fer the brand.
When ye stack up to this point, ye’ll find
Folk look at ye in a different light
An’ they’ll reckon that yuh got what it takes
To hold yer own knowin’ wrong from right.
So when the chips are down an’ times is tough
It don’t matter none if yer name is Jones ‘er Smith
‘cuz it comes right down to a natural fact
an’ they’ll say, “He’ll do tuh ride the river with!”
© Ol’ Jim Cathey
Join us at First Baptist Church in Marlin and experience “The Great Commandment!”
God bless each of you and God bless America!