The Philmont Ranger Song

At the troop meeting the other night Loren Dacanay and Jack H got up in front of the troop and shouted out the first few lines of the Philmont Ranger Song. Here it is in full:

I want to go back to Philmont
Where the old Rayado flows,
Where the rain comes a seepin'
In the tent where you're sleepin'
And the waters say hello.

I want to wake up in the morning
With my socks all wringing wet,
For it brings back fondest memories,
That a Ranger can't forget.

I want to hike once more the canyon floor
From Scribblins to Old Camp,
With my pack sack a-creakin',
On my back with sweat a-reekin',
And my legs beginning to cramp.

I want to hike again with such great men
As make those famous treks,
From Beaubien to Porky
And from Cito to Car-Max.

And while I'm at it, the words to my favorite Philmont song, written about 10 years ago by a Cypher's Mine staffer and still a standard at the Stomp:

I Don't Mind
Written By Peter Bingen

I am looking, I am searching, I have found, near the ground
My soul myself, beneath this trail.
There's no other place I'd rather be, can't you see
Me out here walkin' in the rain and hail.
Purpose of life seems to me
Is not to take yourself too seriously
I wouldn't want to be an old man sittin' in an office building
Someplace far away, with worry on my face.

Well you can take my car, my stereo, my little money.
Leave me with nothing but my trail family.
Take my dress-up clothes, my cheap cologne, my college loans
I don't mind, I don't mind.

Well if that tax man comes looking
I'm at ten thousand feet cookin' up some oatmeal
Or some rice and beans.
I worship the spirit who doesn't just look down
He looks up and through and all around,
Find him in the rocks and trees.
'Cause there's no reason to pray
When you wake up every day to the sunrise over Cito Peak.
So find some ground lace up your boots start walkin'
And you will find reason, enough reason to believe.

Well, you can drop your worries at the parking lot
Or way down in the city where the sun burns hot.
Although civilization is a nice place to visit,
I wouldn't want to live there.

Oh just one final paragraph of advice
Doon't burn yourself out. Be as I am.
It's not enough to fight for the land.
It's even more important to enjoy it while you can,
While it's still here.
So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around.
Ramble out yonder, explore the woods, encounter the grizz.
Climb the mountains, bag the peaks, cross the rivers,
Breathe deep that yet sweet lucid air.

Sit quiet for a while, contemplate the precious stillness
That mystery and awesome space; enjoy yourself.
Keep your brain in your head and your head attached to your body.
Body active and alive.

And I promise you this much.
I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies.
Over those desk bound people with their hearts in a box
And their eyes hypnotized by calculators.
I promise you this one sweet victory...
YOU'LL OUTLIVE THE BASTARDS!