Goodbye Cowboy

Dedicated to Mark Shanahan

March 30, 1949 – Aug. 13, 2020

By Bill McKee

He rests beneath a pine tree
Wheatland is the town,
Cowboy hats and boots
Stand quietly around

Born in Colorado
his family pioneers,
The trail up to Wyoming
took him several years.

Rodeo work and schoolin’
he traveled this great land,
From Texas to Montana 
The miles made him a hand.

Early on he married well
and all his good friends know,
Once in double harness 
Wyoming they must go.

While herding cows and raising sheep
they built a ranch and home,
His hired help wore pigtails
and he worked them to the bone.

Grass was always short
and so to fill the need,
With a ranch up on the Laramie 
His family might succeed.

Success was never certain 
they worked with calloused hand,
God smiled down upon them
while they improved upon his land.

Their faith in God and family
life got better every day, 
Seeking that fine balance 
with cattle, land and hay.

You lived a good and full life here
friends and family will attest, 
Your work will last for many years
now you deserve a rest.

You rest beneath a pine tree
I’m standing on its root,
As I say goodbye my friend
a tear falls on my boot.

Your folks rest here beside you
beneath Wyoming sky,
And you will always be with us
even as we say goodbye.