N. Howard Thorp

From “Cowboy Songs”

FOR this is the law of the western range

When a stranger hails in sight—

“Just tie up your hoss in the old corral,

En ’light, stranger, ’light!”

’Tis a land of hospitable people,

You’re welcome in daytime or night;

Always one more chair at the table,

So it’s “’Light, stranger, ’light!”

We don’t ask no inquisitive questions,

If your people are native or white.

At our ranch you will find you are welcome,

So it’s “’Light, stranger, ’light!”

You may be an outlaw, or preacher,

Got into some place kinda tight—

Someday you’ll return the favor,

So it’s “’Light, stranger, ’light!”

We are just plain cow-folks in Texas,

But you’ll find we are all about right,

You may stay for a year and be welcome,

So it’s “’Light, stranger, ’light!”