The Ranchman's Song Poem by William Lawrence Chittenden

Afar from the tumult and turmoil of fashion,
Away, far away, from the throng that intrudes;
I am free from all envy and malice and passion
For my spirit expands in the wild solitudes.

I love the broad prairie, the nother's sad sighting,
The whispering stars, the owl's lone hoo,
The mocking-bird's song when the twilight is dying,
The cayote's weird call as it echoes 'ki-oo.'

Wild nature to me is a thing that I cherish;
I hate the dull discords that cities have shown;
For there out of tune my free spirits all perish;
Let me dwell near to nature with my ideals alone.

Better live rich at heart on a crust in a garret,
Than languish in mansions impoverished with strife;
There is joy in a dugout, if fancy but share it
With hope and fond memory to brighten thy life.

There's a zest amidst hardship which some natures treasure
A charm on the prairies that care cannot cloy;
So, avaunt! ye dull follies of fashionable pleasure,
Give me the wild pleasures that ranchmen enjoy.