January 2010 video from the 26th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Elko, Nevada Jay Snider reciting Sunny Hancock's "Bear Tale"

Of Horses and Men

Some are blessed with tranquil passing While others met a tragic end Truth is, it's never easy When you've lost a trusted friend As horses go, it's sometimes told In simple words that cowboys use He darn sure was a good one He’s the kind you hate to lose He’s the kind you'd ride the river with Roam the canyons and the breaks In rough country and wild cattle He’d be the one you’d take His efforts weren’t ruled by stature With him you’d finish what you’d start His limits were governed only By the dimension of his heart  His expectations were simple Merely fairness from a friend But when he’d feel the need to run Don't try to fence him in  Pure poetry in motion As across the plains he’d fly A tried and true compadre In a seasoned cowboy’s eye His courage was unmatched by mortal men From conquistadors to kings Cowboys sing his praises At roundups in the spring  Ain’t it strange how thoughts of horses lost Mirror those of men passed on And though they’ve gone to glory Their spirit’s never gone  Sometimes simple words seem best When final words we choose He darn sure was a good one He’s the kind you hate to lose © 2004 Jay Snider   All rights reserved These words may not be reprinted or reposted without the author's written permission.

Ode to the Line Shack
Tumbleweeds blow in through a saggin’ screen door But it’s been home sweet home for six months, maybe more There’s no insulation in the walls of this shack You can throw a big cat through most all of the cracks There’s a leak in the roof, when it rains it’ll pour But it runs out real fast through the cracks in the floor The snow will drift in ‘round the windows with ease But in autumn there’s always a cool gentle breeze An old, cold north wind will stand the curtains out straight But the chimney won’t draw so the fresh air is great Stockin’ grub in the pantry is an every day chore Cause the mice carry it out through a hole in the floor The stove in the kitchen ain’t worked in a year So we eat lots of jerky and chase it with beer The freezer don’t work and the furnace won’t heat The bedroom stays cold so it’s safe to hang meat My pocket knife vanished from on top of the chest I found it next morning’ in a fresh pack rat’s nest A horrendous odor surrounds all the bunks Cause beneath the plank floor dwells a family of skunks A trip to the privy concludes in a rush The sink never drains and the toilet don’t flush My pard’s a good hand and I like him doggonit But I’m down to one nerve and by golly, he’s on it I hear the wagon rolls out in a week, maybe two I intend to go with it and the rest of the crew I’ll sleep at the wagon, on the plains, with my hoss I’ve had all I can stand batchin’ here with the boss. © 2010 Jay Snider   All rights reserved These words may not be reprinted or reposted without the author's written permission.
Four Little Words*
Four little words have stuck in my mind From the time I was just a small child “There’s a good feller” is what he would say When he talked of the men he admired I remember those men he talked about Sure ‘nuff cowboys, tough, but kind They said what they meant and meant what they said These men are gettin’ harder to find “There’s a good feller,” meant he was true to his word That’s all you expect of a man You knew for sure he was proud to meet you By the genuine shake of his hand “There’s a good feller,” meant you could depend On this man no matter the task Never got too tough, too cold, or too late For his help, all you need do is ask “There’s a good feller,” meant he had a light hand Be it with horses or cattle or crew He spent most of his life learning this cowboy trade And he’d be honored to teach it to you “There’ a good feller” meant don’t ask him to do What ain’t on a true and honest track He knows it’s easier to keep a good reputation Than it is to try to build one back “There’s a good feller,” meant he’s a fair-minded man He helped write cowboyin’s unwritten laws He won’t ask you to do what he wouldn’t do Yet knows, at times, the short end you’ll draw “There’s a good feller,” meant, when he’s down on his luck He can still hold his head way up high ‘Cause he did his best and gave it his all He knows with faith and God’s help he’ll get by “There’s a good feller,” just four little words And their meaning won’t run all that deep But when Dad would use ‘em to describe certain men You knew they were at the top of the heap “There’s a good feller,” just four little words But they’ve always been favorites of mine If after my trails end, my name’s brought up “There’s a good feller” would suit me just fine ©  Jay Snider    All rights reserved These words may not be reprinted or reposted without the author's written permission. *This poem is included in a selection of pieces appropriate for solemn occasions posted at CowboyPoetry.com. While preparing for the memorial service for Sir Arthur Bryan, chairman and managing director of Wedgwood china from 1969-1986, Peter Kopelman happened across the poem. He was so touched by the sentiment that he contacted Jay and asked permission to read it at the service in Stoke on Trent Cathedral, Staffordshire, England, March 18, 2011.  He went on to explain that Sir Bryan "spent a considerable time travelling to and from the USA. He was a dedicated western-cowboy enthusiast; nothing pleased him more than the title of Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire/Sheriff of the county, an honour bestowed on him by our Queen." In closing, he said, "Your poem sums up Arthur’s character so well and it will be my privilege to read it."
	For more of Jay's poetry, visit his Folks' Poems page at  CowboyPoetry.com   Jay's poetry appears on each volume of the critically acclaimed audio anthology, The BAR-D Roundup, released annually in celebration of National Cowboy Poetry Week. Learn more about The Bar-D Roundup, including how to order, here.