[Verse 1]
The sun burns the snow
High on the mountains
It runs, and it grows
As it falls
Silt and soil
Down it boils
Down to the valleys
The gold river rolls
To the plains

[Verse 2]
The rangeland lies high
Up from the river
The coulees are dry
Where the short grass grows
Fields of hay
Cottonwood shade
Green patch of home
Through the high dusty land
A river flows

[Verse 3]
Early evening light
Boys practice roping
The days fades away
The night rolls on
Lives of pride
Men who ride
They keep the old skills
That came up the trail
From Mexico
[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 4]
The long river winds
Through green years and dry years
Brand 'em in the spring
Ship ’em in the fall
A new colt foal
The mare grows old
Cycle of changes
In this changeless land
Where the short grass grows

[Outro]
In this changeless land
Where the short grass grows