The Ballad of Ben Cartwright

Ben travelled the prairies from the East to the West.

With his sons, one a baby, and pride filled his chest.

Two wives he would leave in the cold, earthen clay.

His determination was fierce, as he made his own way.

Ben said No, Nay, Never.

Will my boys not survive.

I’ll protect them and love them

As long as l am alive.

For Ben saw a vision, mountains tipping the sky.

Of a lake of blue water where eagles did fly.

Where Pine trees grew taller than he’d ever seen.

Wher­e lush grass it grew in many colours of green.

Ben said, No…Nay…Never.

Will it be long

Till l find this heaven

Where my boys could grow strong

On reaching Nevada Ben knew it was right.

Near the banks of the Tahoe, a wonderful sight.

His claim he set down, and he roared this is mine.

The Ponderosa, he named from the tall growing pine

Ben said, my roots l have planted.

My journey is ore.

I’ve two sons here beside me.

But there’s room for one more.

To New Orleans, on a visit, it’s there he did find

A mama for the boys that he’d left behind.

The Bull of The Ponderosa, sure got the job done.

In less than a year, Ben had his third son.

Ben prayed, No…Lord help me,

Please ease my pain.

Alas, he was forsaken.

A widower again.

The house was improved under Adam’s design.

And when it was finished it all looked so fine.

Hop Sing in the kitchen, cooked dinners, made tea.

Ben was the proudest of men in the whole Territory.

The Ponderosa, now is no vision,

It is a reality.

It is my three son’s future.

It’s their legacy.

To ‘The Ponderosa’ young women, flocked all aglow.

To dance with dark Adam, big Hoss, an young Joe.

Sometimes though the boys, stood, jaws gaping ajar.

Coz, the gal took a shine to their silver haired Pa.

 “Pa, aint yer to old to be petting?

Now don’t be getting upset”.

Ben said, “Boys, this grey haired, old, sea dog.

There’s life in him yet.”

The Cartwright’s bred horses, milled lumber, raised beef.

Good times were assured, though Ben still had some grief.

The Ponderosa grew wealthy on Cartwright’s sweat.

In spite of marauders and the odd Injun threat.

Ben said, NO, We wont be discouraged.

We won’t be undone.

Boys, once those chores, have been tended.

There’s a ranch to be run.

Cartwright, the name stood for everything right.

For love, and for family…for fight the good fight.

These four men were trusted by one and by all.

When justice was threatened. Who else would one call?

Ben Cartwright…No…Nay…Never

Will we ever forget.

The mighty Ponderosa.

And the Cartwright quartet.

And it’s Yes…Yes…Forever.

Though my ballad is done.

The legend, Ben Cartwright.

Will go on and on.