Out Where the West Begins (Double Post Day)

Since I've spent the last 2 days discussing my books (see first post of the day below), I thought I'd give you all a break by adding a little extra something to the mix. In keeping with today's Montana/cowboy theme, however, I've made it a poem written and published by Arthur Chapman in 1917 (which puts it in the public domain). It's a bit old fashioned, but I think it still epitomizes how the pioneers who tamed the land viewed the west. And while my Montana books are very much set in present days, a little bit of that spirit still remains.

Out Where the West Begins

Out where the handclasp's a little stronger,
Out where the smile dwells a little longer,
That's where the West begins;
Out where the sun is a little brighter,
Where the snows that fall are a trifle whiter;
Where the bonds of home are a wee bit tighter;
That's where the West begins.
Out where the skies are a trifle bluer,
Out where the friendship's a little truer,
That's where the West begins
Out where a fresher breeze is blowing,
Where there's laughter in every streamlet flowing,
Where there's more of reaping and less of sowing,
That's where the West begins.
Out where the world is in the making,
Where fewer hearts with despair are aching;
That's where the West begins;
Where there's more of singing and less of sighing,
Where's there's more of giving and less of buying,
And where a man makes friends without half trying,
That's where the West begins.