Watanya Cecilia
From sad and humble beginnings,
not originally from 'true' West,
a legend was born in Ohio
who lived to surpass the very best.
Her name was Phoebe Anne Moses
tho' we've never known her as that,
she fondly became Annie Oakley
and wore proudly her sharpshooters hat.
Her Papa passed over when she was but six,
family times then became really hard,
her baby sister was given away
supposedly for a brand new start.
From age about ten Annie toiled like a slave
when sent out to work on a farm,
much as she laboured both night and day,
treated shamefully she was, with much harm.
Five or so years she missed Mama's love
but finally returned to their home,
with her knowledge of guns and tenacity,
she worked hard to make herself known.
Earning good money by hunting for game
and winning every wild turkey shoot,
she was finally barred by the local boys,
now that must have been quite a hoot!
A professional sharpshooter rode into town
so Annie took him up on the dare,
little did he realise the shock he had coming
from the gal with the long flowing hair.
For this little lady stood only five feet
but her aim was much better than all,
no surprise to the locals she won the shoot,
in their eyes she was ten feet tall!
A romance blossomed between the pair
and she later became Mrs Butler,
graciously Frank acknowledged her skill,
there was nought he could do but admire her.
Travelling the world as a sharpshooting couple,
even once taking tea with a Queen,
there wasn't a contest Annie didn't win,
her skills a delight to be seen.
One so impressed that he gave her the name
Watanya Cecilia, or 'Little Sure Shot',
Chief Sitting Bull adopted Miss Annie
since his own dearest daughter he'd lost.
As far as I know she had not a child
but a much loved dog, name of Dave,
who later became a great part of her show,
more than likely to fans he'd have waved!
Ever mindful of having good manners
although travelling with more bawdy folk,
no cussin' or brawlin' for this genteel gal
who made sure she was nobody's joke.
Later in life she tried to slow down
but had little success mastering that,
she found it too hard to give up the life
and never quite hung up her hat.
She proved it to all, men and women alike,
you could beat any hitch thrown your way,
her achievements are known all over this land
and still being talked of this day.
An inspiration to me since childhood days,
I'm proud there were women like you,
so please dear Miss Oakley take one more bow,
you ARE a real lady...through and through.
�2006, Jan Price
Sydney, Australia
Ol' Roy Rides Again
The boys were home for a few days of rest
before the next cattle drive.
Pa made a brew befittin' the crew
to make up for the stewed coffee nights.
Ma made enough grub to fill up a tub,
they barely contained their surprise.
They tucked right on in, gave Ma a big grin,
she never was one to deny.
When bellies were full they set back a spell
catchin' up with the kin who were there.
There was laughter all round, a couple o'brews
and a whole bunch o'stories to share.
Ma said "now don' linger round the fire too long,
jest let the embers burn down.
Remember come sunup we're joinin' the folks
from the valley, then headin' to town."
It weren't all that long afore dawn was upon 'em,
all scrubbed up and lookin' their best.
Pa led the way with a few of the young'uns
as they headed out off t'the west.
Now Ma had good reason for makin' the men
get all spruced up and lookin' refined,
but she weren't the kind fer spillin' the beans
so when questioned she answered "ne'er mind."
When they made it to town Ma herded them over
to the shack with the sign saying 'Service'.
"Jest set yerselves down, be quiet a spell,
you'll know soon enough, don't be nervous."
They soon heard Doc Riley's hollerin' shout
"Won't y'all welcome the new preacher to town,
listen real hard folks' and hear what she says,
here she is and her name's Rosie Brown."
They listened in awe and were waitin' for more,
They'd never before heard words spoken
with such gusto and ease and powerful pleas,
yet still with such genteel devotion.
It weren't till the end of the service that day
they realised who the young preacher was.
When they did, they couldn't contain their surprise
"Hard t'believe, it's amazing, thanks God."
Y'see..a few years ago when Ol' Roy passed away
'n his youngest was learning to rope,
she promised her Pa she'd never turn back,
with his passing she lived out his hope.
So the new preacher in town just happens to be
the young'un ol' Roy left behind.
She said to those men "I promised him then
I'd stick with the life of his kind."
So next time the boys rode out on the trail
Rosie Brown went along with the crew.
They had revived faith, their own special preacher,
and the ghost of Ol' Roy rode out too.
�2007, Jan Price
Sydney, Australia
In Their Own Time
The Lord gave us patience in so many ways
and one of those ways was roundin' up strays.
Those who have wandered away from the herd,
the ones non-responsive to nary a word.
For those not content to follow the line,
it'll be their own pace, and in their own time.
You can't make 'em rush or hurry 'em none,
they won't pick up speed if they don't wanna run.
It's useless to try and convince 'em they should,
if they had an inklin' to hotfoot, they would.
So those not content to follow the line,
they'll set their own pace, and in their own time.
Tho' down through the years we've seen ranchin' change,
there's part of the life that remains much the same.
It's tryin' to hasten the pace of the cattle,
but still to this day, it's a futile lost battle.
Coz those not content to follow the line,
will set their own pace, and in their own time.
So pards, let me tell you, there's one thing won't change,
somethin' you'll see every day on the range,
it's the battle of minds between cowhand and beast,
one with little hope, that the man will defeat.
For some cows aren't content to follow the line,
they'll set their own pace, and in their own time.
�2007, Jan Price
Sydney, Australia
Ponderin'
Sittin' round the campfire here
one coolish summer night,
reflectin' on the day's hard work
and that we'd done it right.
Pond'rin' 'bout the days gone by,
the folks who'd taught us how,
to work the land and make the most
of what we've all got now.
Mullin' over ancestry,
how tough life was for them,
well pards, let's take our hats off to
those settlers, gals and men.
Without their strength and will to live
not one of us would be,
a'sittin' here right by this fire,
in our wide land...so free.
�2007, Jan Price
Sydney, Australia