Oh Lord, I've never lived where churches grow
I loved creation better as it stood
That day you finished it so long ago
And looked upon your work and called it good
I know that others see you in the light
That sifted down through tinted window panes
And yet somehow I feel you're near tonight
In this dim, quiet starlight on the plains
I thank you, Lord, that I am placed so well
You've made my freedom so complete
That I'm no slave of whistle, clock nor bell
Nor weak eyed prisoner of Waller Street
Let me live my life as I've begun
And give me work that's open to the sky
Make me a partner of the wind and sun
And I'll never ask for a life that's soft or high
Just let me be easy on the man that's down
Let me be square and generous with all
I'm careless, Lord, sometimes when I'm in town
But never say that I'm mean or small
Make me as big and as open as the plains
As honest as this horse between my knees
Clean as a wind that blows behind the rains
Free as the hawk that circles down the breeze
Forgive me, Lord, if sometimes I forget
Why you understand the reasons that are hid
You know the things that gall and fret
You know me better than my mother did
Just keep an eye on all that's done or said
And right me sometimes, Lord, when I turn aside
Guide me on that long, dim trail ahead
That stretches upward toward the great divide
Last night as I laid on the prairie
And gazed at the stars in the sky
I wondered if ever a cowboy
Would drift to that sweet by and by
The road to that bright mystic region
Is a dim narrow trail so they say
While the one that leads down to prediction
Is posted and blazed all the way
They say there will be a grand roundup
Where cowboys and other will stand
To be marked by the riders of judgement
Who are posted and know all the brands
They say he will never forget you
That he knows every action and look
For safety you'd better get branded
Get your name in the great Tally Book
I wondered if ever a cowboy
Prepared for that great judgement day
Could say to the boss of the riders
I'm ready come drive me away
My wish for all cowboys is this
That we'll meet at that grand final sail
And be cut out by the riders of judgement
And shoved up that dim narrow trail
Roll on, roll on, roll on little dogies roll on