creeds

Our heroes gave us "the code of the West" that all good cowboys and
cowgirls followed:

Hopalong Cassidy's "Creed for American Boys and Girls"

1. The highest badge of honor a person can wear is honesty,
be mindful at all times.

2. Your parents are the best friends you have. Listen to them and
obey their instructions.

3. If you want to be respected, you must respect others. Show good
manners in every way.

4. Only through hard work and study can you succeed. Don't be lazy.

5. Your good deeds always come to light. So don't boast or be a show off.

6. If you waste time or money today, you will regret it tomorrow.
Practice thrift in all ways.

7. Many animals are good and loyal companions. Be friendly and kind to
them.

8. A strong, healthy body is a precious gift. Be neat and clean.

9. Our country's laws are made for your protection. Observe them
carefully.

10. Children in many foreign lands are less fortunate than you. Be glad
and proud you are an American

Gene Autry's "Ten Commandments of the Cowboy"

1. A cowboy never takes unfair advantage.
2. A cowboy never betrays a trust.
3. A cowboy always tells the truth.
4. A cowboy is kind to small children, to old folks, and to animals.
5. A cowboy is free from racial and religious prejudice.
6. A cowboy is helpful and when anyone's in trouble he lends a hand.
7. A cowboy is a good worker.
8. A cowboy is clean about his person and in thought, word, and deed.
9. A cowboy respects womanhood, his parents, and the laws of his
country.
10. A cowboy is a patriot.

The Lone Ranger's Creed

I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one.

That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the
power to make this a better world.

That God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and
light it himself.

In being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when
necessary for that which is right.

That a man should make the most of what equipment he has. That "this
government, of the people, by the people, and for the people," shall
live always.

That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest
number.

That sooner or later...somewhere...somehow...we must settle with the
world and make payment for what we have taken. That all things change, but the truth, and the truth alone lives on forever.

I believe in my Creator, my country, my fellow man.

Roy Roger's "Rider's Rules"

1. Be neat and clean.

2. Be courteous and polite.

3. Always obey your parents.

4. Protect the weak and help them.

5. Be brave but never take chances.

6. Study hard and learn all you can.

7. Be kind to animals and care for them.

8. Eat all your food and never waste any.

9. Love God and go to Sunday School regularly.

10. Always respect our flag and our country.

Another aspect of many of the western programs was the singing cowboy. A campfire wasn't complete without a cowboy singing a song as he strummed his guitar. Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and The Sons of The Pioneers were just a few of the great cowboy singers.

Throughout the years, the morals and values of our childhood heroes
carried us through. The children of the 50s are now grandparents who still
believe in "the code of the west" and it has served them well through troubles, illnesses, and wars.

Roy Rogers' cowboy prayer still echoes in our hearts:

"Lord, I reckon I'm not much just by myself,
I fail to do a lot of things I ought to do.
But Lord, when trails are steep and passes high,
Help me ride it straight the whole way through.

And when in the falling dusk I get that final call,
I do not care how many flowers they send,
Above all else, the happiest trail would be for YOU to say to me,
"Let's ride, My friend" Amen

I wish we never had to say good-bye to the kind of programs that
motivated children and all of us to be better people. Hopefully, child and
cowboy will meet again so I won't say good-bye, I'll just sing?

Happy Trails to you, until we meet again
Happy Trails to you, keep smilin' until then...
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
Happy Trails to you, til we meet again..."
(Happy Trails by Dale Evans)

The Cowboy Code (My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys)

Gene Autry's Code of Honor A cowboy never takes unfair advantage - even of an enemy. A cowboy never betrays a trust. He never goes back on his word. A cowboy always tells the truth. A cowboy is kind and gentle to small children, old folks, and animals. A cowboy is free from racial and religious intolerances. A cowboy is always helpful when someone is in trouble. A cowboy is always a good worker. A cowboy respects womanhood, his parents and his nation's laws. A cowboy is clean about his person in thought, word, and deed. A cowboy is a Patriot.

Hopalong Cassidy's Creed for American Boys and Girls The highest badge of honor a person can wear is honesty. Be truthful at all times. Your parents are the best friends you have. Listen to them and obey their instructions. If you want to be respected, you must respect others. Show good manners in every way. Only through hard work and study can you succeed. Don't be lazy. Your good deeds always come to light. So don't boast or be a show-off. If you waste time or money today, you will regret it tomorrow. Practice thrift in all ways. Many animals are good and loyal companions. Be friendly and kind to them. A strong, healthy body is a precious gift. Be neat and clean. Our country's laws are made for your protection. Observe them carefully. Children in many foreign lands are less fortunate than you. Be glad and proud you are an American.

Wild Bill Hickock Deputy Marshal's Code of Conduct I will be brave, but never careless. I will obey my parents. They DO know best. I will be neat and clean at all times. I will be polite and courteous. I will protect the weak and help them. I will study hard. I will be kind to animals and care for them. I will respect my flag and my country. I will attend my place of worship regularly.

The Lone Ranger Creed I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one. That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world. That God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself. In being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right. That a man should make the most of what equipment he has. That "this government, of the people, by the people, and for the people," shall live always. That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number. That sooner or later...somewhere...somehow...we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken. That all things change, but the truth, and the truth alone lives on forever. I believe in my Creator, my country, my fellow man.

Roy Rogers Riders Club Rules Be neat and clean. Be courteous and polite. Always obey your parents. Protect the weak and help them. Be brave, but never take chances. Study hard and learn all you can. Be kind to animals and care for them. Eat all your food and never waste any. Love God and go to Sunday School regularly. Always respect our flag and our country.

Roy Rogers Prayer Lord, I reckon I'm not much just by myself, I fail to do a lot of things I ought to do. But Lord, when trails are steep and passes high, Help me ride it straight the whole way through. And when in the falling dusk I get that final call, I do not care how many flowers they send, Above all else, the happiest trail would be For YOU to say to me, "Let's ride, My Friend" AMEN

Texas Rangers "Deputy Ranger" Oath Be Alert. Be Obedient. Defend the Weak. Never Desert a Friend. Never Take Unfair Advantage. Be Neat. Be Truthful. Uphold Justice. Live Cleanly. Have Faith in God.

Code of the West (from "Cowboy Ethics: What Wall Street Can Learn from the Code of the West" by James P. Owen) Live each day with courage. Take pride in your work. Always finish what you start. Do what has to be done. Be tough, but fair. When you make a promise, keep it. Ride for the brand. Talk less and say more. Remember that some things aren't for sale. Know where to draw the line.

An Old Cowboy's Advice * Keep your fences horse-high, pig-tight & bull-strong. * Keep skunks & bankers & lawyers at a distance. * Life is simpler when you plow around the stump. * A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor. * Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled. * Meanness don't jes' happen overnight. * Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads. * Don't corner something that would normally run from you. * It doesn't take a very big person to carry a grudge. * You cannot unsay a cruel word. * Every path has a few puddles. * When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty. * The best sermons are lived, not preached. * Most of the stuff people worry about is never gonna happen anyway. * Don't judge folks by their relatives. * Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. * Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none. * Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance. * Sometimes you get, & sometimes you get got. * Don't fix it if it ain't broke. * Always drink upstream from the herd. * Good judgment comes from experience, & a lot of that comes from bad judgment. * If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around. * Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.