Asleep In The Hands of God

(A Cowboy Story)

They hid their tears, these Cowpoke friends, as a preacher man Bible in hand,
talked of their friend that’d rode away in search of a better land
He recalled to them a story told to him by the cowboys wife.
How he’d left the ways of a city man, took on a cowhand's life.
In time found from working cattle, and horses he’d learned how to control,
he’d grown from a carefree young cowboy to a man with a brand new role.
He’d raised him up a family, two little girls and a boy,
on a Texas ranch he’d built alone, that’d brought them a world of joy.
They’d sat on the porch of an evening and looked at all they’d done.
They’d shared stories of all the good times, and battles they’d fought and won.
Hand in hand they’d rode life out, earned a place on this earthly sod.
Now it was time for the cowboy to rest; be asleep in the hands of God.
He’d miss these ‘ol cowpoke buddies he and the Mrs. had made.
They was welcome to come and say howdy to this place he was being laid.
They should know he really wasn’t there, havin’ rode on to a Heavenly place,
to build a cowboy mansion at a loving and leisurely pace.
There’d be lots of room for living, with a bunkhouse for each cowboy friend,
'cause he knowed they’d someday join him when their world had come to end.
There’d be foals and horses, calves and cows, and sweet singing birds in a tree,
home fried chicken and gravy, with all you could eat for free.
For now it was time to say good-by. It was time this old boy got to rest.
He thanked them for coming to see him and he wished them all the best.
Yep, he and his Mrs. had rode through life well. She would wait on this earthly sod.
One day they’d all get to join him. Sleep with him in the hands of God.
So they choked back the lump that filled their throat, as the preacher man shook every hand.
They walked away with the memories they’d known of this much loved man.
In their minds they could almost hear the sound of a hammer on wood,
as he woke from his sleep to make them a home, just the way they knew he would.