Walkin’ Under The Shadow Of The Broad-brimmed Hat

Walkin’ down on Main Street

Jes’ the other day,

I noticed the shadow of a feller

A’followin’ me along the way.

 

Couldn’t tell the character

Of the image that I saw,

But the broad-brimmed hat that he was wearin’

More less spoke it all.

 

The shadow of that broad-brimmed hat,

Its dark and creased tall crown,

Gave me pause to stop and think awhile;

Walkin’. Lookin’ down.

 

I find that there’s a quick respect

When another’s eyes meet mine;

Its like they knows and jes’ expects

I’m walkin’ that fine line.

 

Truth be told ’bout that broad-brimmed hat

It freezes a frame of days gone by,

When a man’s good word meant somethin’ sure

And in the saddle he rode certain high.

 

Now, I don’t mean to git all romantic

‘Bout those old times and places,

But it can make a body proud

Of his heritage and traces.

 

So when you’re walkin’ down on Main Street,

Ridin’ carriage or a plane,

If you’re wearin’ that creased and broad-brimmed hat

Folks take note; I’m jes’ sayin’.

 

Make sure the feller walkin’

Under the shadow of that broad brim

Is livin’ up to life and work,

Doin’ all that’s ‘xpected of him.

 

September 28, 2012

 

The inspiration for this piece came as I was walking down Houston Street in Fort Worth, Texas. I spotted my shadow on the sidewalk and the broad-brimmed hat just sort of jumped out at me. I got to thinking about the culture of the old west, the tradition of the cowboy and all that seemed to me to be embodied in the solitary shape of the cowboy hat. A shadow is pretty non-descript…until you get to the hat. What a symbol of pride and respect.