Picture Of A Kid In A Red Cowboy Hat

© Mark Betcher

There’s a picture of a kid in a red cowboy hat
He's packin' cap guns and pointing them at his cat
He's got a Christmas smile breaking through his baby fat
He's a precious faded memory in a dime store picture mat

I found it in a box. In a heap of someone’s else's dreams
A bunch of human ghosts... their time worn smiles beams
I think they meant to pass them down. At least that's the way it seems
But NO one NO longer cares just what these pictures mean

Lookie here... The Pharaoh was just a man
He ruled old Egypt. The baddest kingdom in the land
And now his broken statue is laying right there in the sand
His nose is busted off and we know his name aint Dan...

We know the man from this and that and the mummies that we've found
This old mans' stone head is in a museum case up town
So I guess it is important to keep our family history around
I know I should't throw this box of pictures down

I mean here is a picture of Uncle Ned, He served in World War ONE
He looks pretty happy. Not like an old German Hun
And here's sweet Aunt Nelly with her hair done up in bun
And Grandpa Jake hunting with his favorite shot gun

What the HELL... why make a fuss?
The Titanic broke in two and is now melting into rust
Blood is thicker than water, but it all turns to dust
Even someday the sun is going to go bust. Bang! Bang!

This little cowboy makes me happy. That's why he's hanging on my wall
I’ll save this hunk of history 'til the St. Peter calls
Or one of them other saints... Tom Dick Harry or Paul
With luck they’ll find a spot to hang him in their shinning hall

Because I’ve got this picture of this a wearing a cowboy hat
He's Packin' six shooters and pointing one at his cat
He's got a Christmas smile breaking through his baby fat
He's a precious faded moment in a dime store picture mat