It don't take such a lot o 'laws to keep the rangeland straight.
Nor books to write them in, because there are only six or eight.
The first one is the Welcome sign written deep in Western hearts--
My camp is yours and yours is mine in all cow country parts.
Treat with respect all womankind, same as you would your sister.
Take care of neighbors' strays you find, and don't call cowboys "mister"
Shut the pasture gates when passin' thru and takin' all in all,
Be jest as rough as pleases you but never mean nor small.
Talk straight, shoot straight, an' never break your word to man nor boss.
Plumb always kill a rattlesnake; don't ride a sore-backed hoss.
It don't take law nor pedigree to live the best you can;
These few is all it takes to be a cowboy an'-- a Man!!
S. Omar Barker