George Pope Morris

Life in the West

Ho! brothers—come hither and list to my story—
  Merry and brief will the narrative be.
Here, like a monarch, I reign in my glory—
  Master am I, boys, of all that I see!
Where once frowned a forest, a garden is smiling—
  The meadow and moorland are marshes no more;
And there curls the smoke of my cottage, beguiling
  The children who cluster like grapes round my door.
Then enter, boys; cheerly, boys, enter and rest;
The land of the heart is the land of the West!
    Oho, boys!—oho, boys!—oho!

Talk not of the town, boys—give me the broad prairie,
  Where man, like the wind, roams impulsive and free:
Behold how its beautiful colors all vary,
  Like those of the clouds, or the deep-rolling sea!
A life in the woods, boys, is even as changing;
  With proud independence we season our cheer,
And those who the world are for happiness ranging,
  Won't find it at all if they don't find it here.
Then enter, boys; cheerly, boys, enter and rest!
I'll show you the life, boys, we live in the West!
    Oho, boys!—oho, boys!—oho!

Here, brothers, secure from all turmoil and danger,
  We reap what we sow, for the soil is our own;
We spread hospitality's board for the stranger,
  And care not a jot for the king on his throne.
We never know want, for we live by our labor,
  And in it contentment and happiness find;
We do what we can for a friend or a neighbor,
  And die, boys, in peace and good-will to mankind.
Then enter, boys; cheerly, boys, enter and rest;
You know how we live, boys, and die in the West!
    Oho, boys!—oho, boys!—oho!