Written early this morning (holidays always mess with my internal clock) … couldn't sleep … friends going through some important life-stage changes, me doing a lot of thinking.

V1

Back when girls wore braids, that I loved to pull In history class, at my public school We studied those lessons over and over again.

From Washington and the Delaware To the wall coming down in the cold night air I hardly stopped to listen; I’m a-runnin’ just as fast as I can.

But one thing I remember said, “Go west young man.”

Chorus

"Go west young man," the horizon is big as can be "Go west young man," your future is wild and free The adventure's calling, though the world keeps stalling, there's nothing stopping you Live your life, son, "Go west young man."

V2

I went on to college just to get a degree For a middle class boy that'sand jobs ain't free Learned to party hard. Not a kid; not really a man.

Then I met this girl with curly blond hair My friends started laughing at my dumb blank stare I didn’t stop and listen; Started runnin’ just as fast as I can.

The one voice I remember’s saying, “Go west young man.”

Chorus

Bridge 1

A wedding, a mortgage, car payments, and a child What ever happened to free, fun, and wild?

V3

Now I work all day; I'll be home by six an' See your hair is a mess; and the dinner ain't fixed You feel like a failure; I'm beaten down by the man

Cowboys are on with their fantasy girls Then I see our little baby in her chaps and pearls I can hardly stop and think; I’m wrestlin’ just as hard as I can.

There’s a bunch of little voices calling, “Go west young man.”

Bridge 2

Distractions are powerful, they all tempt my heart to roam But you're begging me to choose to be here and not just home.

Guitar Solo

Bridge 3

I put away my childhood ways; off goes the TV set. I'll be damned if I'm gonna miss this chance to have the best adventure yet!

Chorus