Classic Poem

It don't take sech a lot o' laws
To keep the rangeland straight,
Nor books to write 'em in, because
They's only six or eight.

The first one is the welcome sign
Wrote deep in Western hearts:
“My camp is yours an' yours is mine”
In all cow country parts.

Treat with respect all womankind,
Same as yuh would your sister.
Take care o' neighbor's strays yuh find,
An' don't call cowboys “mister.”

Shet pasture gates when passin' through;
An' takin all in all,
Be jest as rough as pleases you,
But never mean nor small.

Talk straight, shoot straight, an' never break
Your word to man nor boss.
Plumb always kill a rattlesnake.
Don't ride a sorebacked hoss.

It don't take law nor pedigree
To live the best yuh can!
These few is all it takes to be
A cowboy an' … a man!