It’s Christmas Eve

By Harrison R. Merrill

It’s Christmas Eve – the north Star shines
Jest like the Star of Beth-le-hem
Above them pines.

But Him who notes the sparrow’s fall
Kin heard a cowboy – er his cayuse call.

A hawse ain’t Christian, some wud say,
But, Pal, I’d never talk that way.

It seems tu me that any fool
Could see yuh live the Golden Rule.

You’ve been four square, and it may be
Yure some few jumps ahead of me.

Yuh mebbe don’t know how to pray,
Fer hawses jest ain’t built that way –

But if service counts – an’ that’s the test –
W’y, yure a Christian – ‘mong the best.

We seem alone – and yet – it’s strange –
We feels His presence on this range.

It’s Christmas Eve – His great love shines
Jest like that Star above them pines!

(1930)