The summer was almost over; the change was in the air. The activity around the ranch was different, horses were feisty this morning, it was good to be alive..... He rode towards the canyon through the meadow where the old homestead was. "A single rose still standing" he observed, Ill see to it when I get back in a few days. Jenny will like that."

LAST ROSE OF THE SUMMER

It was just a glance that caught my eye,
riding through the pines
We stopped to rest near Eagle Rim
where the trail unwinds

A single rose of color,
standing all alone
Strong, proud and weathered,
this rose so far from home.

What of this rose I ponder,
what makes it stand so tall ?
Through wind and rain and winter storms
as summers turn to fall

Shadowed by the cliffs above,
it looked so out of place
A rose to grace the meadows fair,
what secrets to embrace?

A resting place forsaken,
this dashing rose stands guard
Memories lost as years pass by,
saved by an old time Pard

An old tin can lies buried,
in it held this note
"The Last Rose of the summer"
for this is what he wrote.

We hardly knew ye Danny boy,
as we placed the rose upon your chest.
Your in the grandest company now,
riding with the best

Heaven must have needed a good hand, a cowboy young and strong.
We're gonna miss you Danny boy,
we bid thee fair so long.

Danny was just a young lad,
but damn that boy could ride.
Working cattle was his comfort,
cowboy'n was his pride.

As twilight lanced the desert folds,
a far off rain some distance fell.
When the sound of rolling thunder cracked,
the cattle ran straight to hell.

Danny boy was riding point,
as he turned his mustang Ace.
The cattle heading straight for Eagle Rim
when Danny boy gave chase

Danny spurred full speed ahead,
rode hard to face the wind.
The cattle running straight to hell,
destination Eagle Rim.

Dannys just a young lad
with courage ever more
Racing shadows in the night
where hearts and eagles soar

With comrades in hot pursuit
his pony gave his all
His reckless ride saved all but one,
when he heard the master's call.

His mount turned quick aside,
as the canyon shunned its earthly pride
In darkness he lost sight of mother earth,
and made his final ride.

If your ever out Nevada way,
some summer starry night.
You may hear Ol Danny singing,
keeping cattle calm from fright

They say you can hear Ol Danny riding
when the canyon wind blows cold.
Just an old time faded cowboy ,
this puncher free an bold.

We're gonna miss you Danny boy,
now you're riding with the best.
'Twas "The last rose of the summer"
we placed upon your chest.

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