When my trail stretches out to the edge of the sky
Through the desert so empty and bright,
When I'm watchin' the miles as they go crawlin' by
And a-hopin' I'll get there by night,
Then my hawse never speaks through the long sunny day,
But my saddle he sings in his creaky old way:
"_Easy--easy--easy--_
_For a temperit pace ain't a crime._
_Let your mount hit it steady, but give him his ease,_
_For the sun hammers hard and there's never a breeze._
_We kin get there in plenty of time._"
When I'm after some critter that's hit the high lope,
And a-spurrin' my hawse till he flies,
When I'm watchin' the chances for throwin' my rope
And a-winkin' the sweat from my eyes,
Then the leathers they squeal with the lunge and the swing
And I work to the livelier tune that they sing:
"_Reach 'im! reach 'im! reach 'im!_
_If you lather your hawse to the heel!_
_There's a time to be slow and a time to be quick;_
_Never mind if it's rough and the bushes are thick--_
_Pull your hat down and fling in the steel!_"
When I've rustled all day till I'm achin' for rest
And I'm ordered a night-guard to ride,
With the tired little moon hangin' low in the west
And my sleepiness fightin' my pride,
Then I nod and I blink at the dark herd below
And the saddle he sings as my hawse paces slow:
"_Sleepy--sleepy--sleepy--_
_We was ordered a close watch to keep,_
_But I'll sing you a song in a drowsy old key;_
_All the world is a-snoozin' so why shouldn't we?_
_Go to sleep, pardner mine, go to sleep._"
[Illustration: "_There's a time to be slow and a time to be quick._"]