When Grandpa Said A Prayer

I grew up on a little ranch west of here, in Erath County, where I learned firsthand the way of the cowboy. Becoming a cowboy poet came later and was a good bit harder. In fact, Ranger Doug with the “Riders in the Sky” always would say, “It ain’t the easy way, but it’s the cowboy way!” Or should that be “the cowboy poet way!”

Now, what is a cowboy poet? Well sir, it is basically someone that tells stories about cowboy life in the west and tells it in a manner that has a rhyme and meter to it. You see, cowboy poetry is nothing more than a story about the day’s happenings, usually told after the supper meal when folks are relaxing and visiting with one another. Started a long time ago and probably was brought to the west at about the end of the Civil War, or as my Ol’ Daddy referred to it, “The War of Northern Aggression!” America had a lot of immigrants from Scotland and Ireland and many of these young men moved west to seek employment as cowboys on developing western ranches. Now you have to realize that this was a time when there were no fancy gadgets like radio, television, video games, or even cell phones. So, at night, after the supper meal these young cowboys would entertain themselves by telling stories of their day’s adventures, maybe someone would have a squeeze box or a jaws harp, or maybe a harmonica, and they would put music to those stories. Of course, they hit the sack soon after supper because, well, they were tired from the hard day’s work. And they knew they would start again before daylight the next morning. The cowboy life was not easy nor for the faint of heart. But it was full of adventure and gave these men a chance to see God’s creation unfold through the happenings of every day! These young cowboys were not a religious lot, but many grew up in families that taught their children as best they could, often using the family Bible as a text to teach the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule. These were lessons that stayed with these young cowboys as they found themselves far away from home and family.

My Great Grandpa, James Allen Weathers was a young pioneer Baptist preacher that came to the Panhandle Plains of Texas from back east and founded the Meteor Baptist Church near Aiken, Texas. This is a poem I wrote to honor his legacy.

When Grandpa Said A Prayer

T’was just a country church house on the arid Texas plain, tall steeple an’ a weathered roof, that very seldom saw it rain.

Folks came from all around to worship in their own way.

They’d read scripture an’ meditate, then listen to Grandpa pray.

He stood there at the alter, with the Bible in his hand.

His voice was firm, yet gentle, yes, he rode for the brand.

Then a song they’d sing, soft an’ low, that spoke of lovin’ care.

The refrain would quietly fade, as Grandpa said a prayer.

A prayer straight from his heart with words that were so true.

Stirred memories from yesteryear, that were remembered by a few.

…like a time, back there in his past when breakin’ broncs made his pay.

…or the graveyard, where a weeping wife had tearfully ask him to pray.

A rustic man in every way, just country thru an’ thru.

A fiesty Texas preacher, his word was always true.

An’ tho times were often hard, an’ t’was tough to make ends meet.

It was a life that he had chose, he’d never accept defeat.

They all worked together with grit an’ faith an’ love, to hold the family ties in place with help from God above.

Jim was good at ridin’ broncs, stickin’ tighter than a blister.

His reputation of never quit, helped him be a bronco twister.

His name was James Allen Weathers, that’s what his Mother called him.

But to most folks here abouts, he was…”that bronco twister, Jim.”

When that weepin’ wife asked him to pray In that graveyard way back there.

He took off his dusty hat, and prayed a gracious heartfelt prayer Then he rode down that lonely trail, knowin’ life had changed that day.

To preach God’s word was his to do.

So Grandpa began to pray.

That Sunday, people sat spellbound, while Satin’s power was impeached.

Everyone could feel glory, as that old bronco twister preached.

At sermon’s end, they felt at peace.

God’s power… what more could you say.

Man, woman, and child richly blessed, as Grandpa began to pray.

© Ol’ Jim Cathey Join us at First Baptist Church in Marlin for Bible reading, preaching, and prayer.

God Bless each of you and God Bless America!