The Hat Upon My Head

[Intro] (Acoustic guitar strumming begins, steady and warm) [Verse 1] Gather 'round the flickerin' light, boys, Pass that bottle, share the heat. Listen close beneath these stars so bright, boys, To a tale of leather, sweat, and b**t. It ain't about the horse, the g*n, the saddle, Though they see a man through thick and thin. It's the crown that wins the f***t and battle, The trusted friend that's always been. [Chorus] Oh, the hat upon my head, More than felt or straw, it's said. It's a shield from sun and rain, Hides the joy, hides the pain. A mark of who you are out here, Through the dust, through every year. This old hat upon my head. [Verse 2] Remember young Jed, fresh off the train? City slicker, pale and thin. Bought that Stetson, felt the change, Walked taller, let the West sink in. Saw him face down Black Jack's crew, That hat pulled low, his eyes gone cold. They knew right then, that kid was through Bein' pushed around, bein' bought and sold. [Chorus] Oh, the hat upon my head, More than felt or straw, it's said. It's a shield from sun and rain, Hides the joy, hides the pain. A mark of who you are out here, Through the dust, through every year. This old hat upon my head. [Bridge] Seen 'em trampled, lost in stampedes, Found days later, battered, bruised. Seen a widow weepin', plantin' seeds, Her man's last hat, its brim well-used. It holds the sweat of honest labor, The dust of trails a thousand miles. Passed from father down to neighbor, Worn with pride, hides weathered smiles. [Verse 3] This one here? Belonged to Pa, Got this crease the day he died. Took a bullet meant for me, ya saw, Pushed me down, took it in his side. This crown's a bit misshapen now, But I wouldn't trade it, not for gold. It's a promise made, a solemn vow, To live the story it still told. [Chorus] Oh, the hat upon my head, More than felt or straw, it's said. It's a shield from sun and rain, Hides the joy, hides the pain. A mark of who you are out here, Through the dust, through every year. This old hat upon my head. [Outro] (Acoustic guitar strumming continues, fading slowly, perhaps joined by soft harmonica) (Last strum fades into the crackle of the fire and the quiet night)