When a man takes his rifle awalkin’
It adds not a bit to his load.
It makes him in fact somewhat lighter,
For he walks as a free man, unbowed.

When a man takes his rifle awalkin’
He’s master of all he can see.
A good man won’t abuse the position,
Still–a master’s a fine thing to be.

When a man takes his rifle awalkin’
He’ll keep his eye sharp, his wits keen,
For that’s not just a tart he’s escortin’
No, that lady beside him’s a queen.

When a man takes his rifle awalkin’
Its condition doesn’t matter to me.
He can load it however he chooses,
So long as he lives by Rule Three.

When a man takes his rifle awalkin’
And he needs a second shot quick,
He’ll be glad of the time spent on homework,
When he mastered reflexive bolt-flick.

When a man takes his rifle awalkin’
And he’s hunting, to feed him and his,
Well, he’s living the way God intended,
And that’s just the way that it is.

When a man takes his rifle awalkin’
As some say he should not be allowed,
Well, they’d better be saying it softly,
For a man with a rifle is proud.

So if you take your rifle awalkin’
Realize what you’re saying, my friend.
You’re saying that you are a free man,
And woe be to him who butts in.

So let’s take our rifles awalkin’
With pride–defiance if need.
If we don’t want to be the last riflemen,
Then we’ve got to re-sow freedom’s seed.

Yes! Let’s take our rifles awalkin’
And we’ll walk in the light, so they’ll see.
And if they come to tell us we cannot,
Then we’ll water the liberty tree

Joe Sledge
Grand Junction, Colorado