In memory of Mark Shanahan
He rests beneath a pine tree
Wheatland is the town
Cowboy hats and boots
Stand quietly around
Born in Colorado
His family pioneers
The trail up to Wyoming
Took him several years
Rodeo work and schoolin’
He traveled this great land
From Texas to Montana
The miles made him a hand
Early on he married well
And all his good friends know
Once in double harness
Wyoming they must go
While herding cows and raising sheep
They built a ranch and home
His hired help wore pigtails
And he worked them to the bone
Grass was always short
And so to fill the need
With a ranch up on the Laramie
His family might succeed
Success was never certain
They worked with calloused hand
God smiled down upon them
While they improved upon his land
Their faith in God and family
Life got better every day
Seeking that fine balance
With cattle land and hay
You lived a good and full life here
Friends and family will attest
now you deserve a rest
You rest beneath a pine tree
I’m standing on its root
As I say goodbye my friend
A tear falls on my boot
Your folks rest here beside you
beneath Wyoming sky
And you will always be with us
even as we say goodbye
— Bill McKee
