If God had chosen cowboys

If God had chosen cowboys, 

instead of those fellers herdin’ sheep

To welcome the Baby Jesus, 

while the world was fast asleep,

Would the Christmas story, 

and the carols that we sing

Be a little different, 

maybe have a different ring?

 When the cowboys got the message 

from them angels heard on high,

They’d have ridden into town, 

shootin’ their pistols in the sky

And thundered to the stable 

bathed in that star’s bright light,

I’m telllin you boys, 

it would not have been a silent night.

And little town of Bethlehem, 

you would not lie still

When the cows, spooked by the angels, 

stampeded over the hill.

And that bunch of rowdy cowboys 

had to turn ‘em all around,

And not quit lookin’ 

until every calf was found.

 Then  come back into town, 

and belly up to the bar,

To buy a round for them kings 

who’d traveled from afar.

The next morning on the mountain 

they’d tell outfits far and near

About the angels , and the stampede 

and the savior who’d  come here.

 “The Lord is my cowboy” 

would begin the most familiar Psalm, and

The parable of the lost calf 

is the story that would calm

The sad and lonely cowboy 

spending Christmas on the trail.

If God had chosen cowboys 

to headline the Christmas tale.

– Steve Lucas