Riding a horse or a motorcycle keeps you in touch with nature, be it cold, hot, wet or freezing.  It is not unusual to look forward to the ride and not the destination as the sense of freedom is a tempting mistress.  Bikers, like the horsemen of old, sit around campfires after a day astride their mounts, drinking whatever swill is available talking of the day's events and recanting tales from other journeys.  A bond between the riders is developed and within this bond come unstated expectations for each person to fulfill.  Friendship that has loyalty, toughness bred from danger and acceptance borne in respect, all salted with subtle humor making a long ride bearable.  A poem I came across speaks to this ethos and is a refreshing read.

Cowboy Up America

When a Cowboy's in a pinch
he just tightens up the cinch,
spurs his horse and rides right through it
cause that's the way the Duke'd do it.
He'd Cowboy Up.

And with our country now in danger
a cowboy's like the old Lone Ranger.
Ridin' hard and shootin' straight
fightin' those who spread the hate.
He'd Cowboy'd Up.

A Cowboy's ready and he's willin'
to face the foe, like Marshal Dillon.
And when the gunsmoke clears away
Cowboy Spirit wins the day.
So, Cowboy Up. Pull your hat down tight
and don't back down from what is right.
We'll bring back "Happy Trails" for you
like Hoppy, Gene and Roy would do.

Think back about Flight 93
and how those heroes came to be.
They knew that thousands more could die
if they just let that airplane fly
They Cowboy'd Up.

One widow had this tale to share.
A husband's love and one last prayer.
And when their sacrifice was done
terror lost and Freedom won
"Let's Roll", he said and Cowboy'd up.

Cause Cowboys fight until they win
just like TV's Paladin.
They will not let our flag unravel
as long as they Have Gun, Will Travel
And Cowboy Up, hell bent for leather.
Cause we're all in this fight together.
We're ridin' hard right on their trail
and with God's help, we will prevail.

If Gary Cooper, Joel McCrea
and Randolph Scott were here today
they'd fight for what is right and true
like Rex and Tex and Lash LaRue.
Who weren't afraid to Cowboy Up.

So, let's give Uncle Sam a hand
cause we're all ridin' for his brand.
And with that Texan in the saddle
our posse's gonna win the battle.
Let's Cowboy Up, pull our hats down tight.
Be rough and ready for the fight.
Our country's through with playin' games.
We're kickin' butt and taking names.
Yeah, Cowboy'd Up, pard, that means you.
Stand up tall and 'fore we're through
we'll kick 'em right in their gee-had
Cause now, they've made the Cowboys Mad.

© 2002, Jeff Hildebrandt

Jeff Hildebrandt, the author of Cowboy Up America