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 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 in 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