Cowboy Songs and Other Frontier Ballads

<p class="tit-song">MUSTER OUT THE RANGER <span class="pagenum"><SPAN id="page356" name="page356"></SPAN>(p. 356)</span></p> <p>Yes, muster them out, the valiant band<br/> That guards our western home.<br/> What matter to you in your eastern land<br/> If the raiders here should come?<br/> No danger that you shall awake at night<br/> To the howls of a savage band;<br/> So muster them out, though the morning light<br/> Find havoc on every hand.</p> <p>Some dear one is sick and the horses all gone,<br/> So we can't for a doctor send;<br/> The outlaws were in in the light of the morn<br/> And no Rangers here to defend.<br/> For they've mustered them out, the brave true band,<br/> Untiring by night and day.<br/> The fearless scouts of this border land<br/> Made the taxes high, they say.</p> <p>Have fewer men in the capitol walls,<br/> Fewer tongues in the war of words,<br/> But add to the Rangers, the living wall<br/> That keeps back the bandit hordes.<br/> Have fewer dinners, less turtle soup,<br/> If the taxes are too high.<br/> There <span class="pagenum"><SPAN id="page357" name="page357"></SPAN>(p. 357)</span> are many other and better ways<br/> To lower them if they try.</p> <p>Don't waste so much of your money<br/> Printing speeches people don't read.<br/> If you'd only take off what's used for that<br/> 'Twould lower the tax indeed.<br/> Don't use so much sugar and lemons;<br/> Cold water is just as good<br/> For a constant drink in the summer time<br/> And better for the blood.</p> <p>But leave us the Rangers to guard us still,<br/> Nor think that they cost too dear;<br/> For their faithful watch over vale and hill<br/> Gives our loved ones naught to fear.</p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />