Out Where the West
Begins
Out where the handclasp's a little
stronger,
Out where the smile dwells a little
longer,
That's where the West begins;
Out where the sun is a little brighter,
Where the snows that fall are a trifle
whiter,
Where the bonds of home are a wee bit
tighter,
That's where the West begins.
Out where the skies are a trifle bluer,
Out where the friendship's a little
truer,
That's where the West begins;
Out where a fresher breeze is blowing,
Where there's laughter in every
streamlet flowing,
Where there's more of reaping and less
of sowing,
That's where the West begins.
Out where the world is in the making,
Where fewer hearts with despair are
aching,
That's where the West begins;
Where there's more of singing and less
of sighing,
Where there's more of giving and less
of buying,
And a man makes friends without half
trying,
That's where the West begins.
-- Arthur Chapman