Lord..this is Earl, ..'course, I reckon that's a thing you already knew, So, see I don't pray often enough, that it comes easy to do. Anyway, I was ridin' along mindin' my own rat killin', In the west pasture, where those setting sunrays were spillin', It reminded me, that I ain't talked to you in quite a while, And I don't know why, 'cause our little talks always caused me to smile.

Now and then, I have to stop and remember who's in control, 'Cause I get the idea sometimes, it's 'me' who's got things on a roll. It don't take long to know the difference, though, when I stop and look. The beauty of all outdoors are things you showed us in your Holy Book, So Lord, thank you for this land, and this ol' body I try to keep whole. Thank you for this blaze face mare, and her identical chestnut foal.

I just can't gee haw with folks claimin' I come from slime in the past. So thank you for givin' me the good sense to know your truth will last. Thank you for a blue bird sky, even when it turns somber and dark, For I know in due time, a new day will dawn, bright, clear and stark. I thank you for mountain tops, and valleys, meadows, forests and trees, Birds, donkeys, panthers, that ol' grizzly bear, and fish and honey bees.

I love to climb to the mountain top, but the air is shorely' thin, So I come back to the valley, where I can catch my breath again. I thank you for good friends Lord, even that old sorehead I know. You gave them all to me, that I might fully develop and grow. Thank you for 'things' I do have, and the absence of desire for more, And for knowing those 'things' don't bring contentment for shore.

Lord, I thank you for happiness .. some might say ignorance is bliss, But sittin' here in this sunset talkin' to you..I'm happy with this. Thank you for my talent Lord, and my work, how I love it so, And for peace of mind, knowing when I die, exactly where I'll go. Thank you for the gospel story, though I don't share it near enough, I defend that by saying that testifying is just plain too tough.

Thank you for leaving me here a while longer, only you know why. I'll never be able to thank you enough, but now and again I'll try. I reckon when I get to heaven and your mystery is fully unveiled, I'll know for sure the reason you left this ol' cowpoke on the trail. I'll know the glory that's heaven, and I'll praise your precious Son, And know for sure why folks denied that Christ was the only one.

'Till then, I'll put this ol' Stetson back on a weathered, furrowed brow, Askin' your forgiveness, knowin' in mercy, you'll give it here and now.

Adios for now Lord,
Your Pard,
Earl