The weather had been terrible
Guess it was because they made a too early start
He knew it was a crazy idea
Trying to push cattle up the trail in March

If the rain wasn't running down your neck
The wind was whipping your slicker in your face
If there was an ounce of heat anywhere on the planet
It sure hadn't found it's way to this place

So he was plumb tuckered out when he came off night watch
But the campfire was still going so he found him a spot

Some of the wranglers were in a heated discussion of some sort
But he was only half listening as the java was being poured
Red kept saying there was a place beyond the sky
Where a cowboy could end up if he had Jesus in his life

But old Charlie wasn't hearing none of that horse hockey
He said dead is dead and the rest of it was just malarky
Jeb held that man could lead a good life and earn his fare
For the stagecoach ride that ended way up there

Well he was too played out to give it to much thought
He found a dry place and spread out the blanket he had brought
Wasn't long before sleep overtook him and he began to snore
Nothing better that some shut when you're cold and sore

He dreamed he was on a trail and way off in a distance
He could see a city, bright, tall and glistening'
Didn't look like Santa Fe or Dodge or even St Lou
Wasn't Dallas or any of the other places that he knew

But he was on the road headed just that way
Figured he would reach it, just most any day
Lost sight of it as the trail began to wind
Through a lonesome valley with some tall, dark pines
Came to a fork and didn't know which one to travel
But  he awoke and the smell of bacon made the dream unravel.


Later on he asked Red about that strange apparition
What did it mean and how do you make the decision
When you come to a place whether to go left or right
Especially when what you're head for, had vanished out of sight

Red said that the cowboy had something he called the Vision
And it was because of the road that he had ridden
See you were headed up the trail that leads to the Big Boss' City
And if you never make it there it'll be a real pity

But before you'll know which way to go you'll have to do some repentin'
Of the things that makes our Lord sad, something we call sinnin'
Like gamblin' and lyin' and stealin' and cussin' and the lot
Carousin', drinkkin' and swearin' and lettin' your soul rot

But most of all you just gotta believe that Jesus is real
It's more than just having the thought or something that you feel
Cause, one time he was here on earth, just the same and you or me
And they hung him on a cross just to set us free
From that old varmint Satan and our contrary ways
So we could follow his trail and learn not to stray
Long as he is in your heart you'll have the vision as your guide
In the dark days, and terrible times, he'll be by your side.

Well that day wasn't as cold or wet as the one before
But before he bedded down he made good and sure
That he and Red took some time down on their knees
And he repented and got pardoned there among the blackjack trees

When he slept he dreamed that same dream and it seemed so right
But he went on up the trail where that city was shining in the night
And there wasn't any sadness and all his suffering was gone
The grass was green, the water clear and someone was singing a song

They buried him at sunrise and Red said a few word over his grave
Thank you for this cowboy and thank GOD he got saved.

Ron Secoy