Jeff Hildebrandt

Jeff Hildebrandt

The Cowboy doesn’t always come in a package that looks like Tom Selleck. As a matter of fact, more and more, cowboys look less and less like they do in our imagination.

Rancho Reality

I expected to see the Marlboro man;

tall in the saddle, broad shouldered and tan.

I looked for Tom Selleck or someone like that

wearing chaps and spurs and a big Stetson hat.

Instead, there’s a spindly old guy in a truck

who looks worn out and weary and down on his luck…

…I longed for the movie, the myth and the dream

but reality’s different and not nearly as clean.

There’s dust in my dinner plate, sand in my shorts

and gooey stuff sprays from my horse when it snorts.

The cattle are smelly, my saddle is hard,

I got stuff on my boots when I walked through the yard.

I wonder if God feels the same about me.

Disappointed I’m not everything I could be.

Do the things that I do ever give God the blues?

Am I like the stuff on the soul of his shoes?

What would God do in His infinite grace?

Oh, yeah, he sent Jesus to die in my place.

Jeff Hildebrandt © 2008

With that in mind, let me introduce myself. I’m a post WW2 Baby Boomer, born and raised in Kansas City and now living in Denver.

Baby Boomer Blues

I’m a pre-modern man in a post-modern age;

A poet, a seer, a sayer, and sage

who rhymes of how simple our lives used to be

when Howdy Doody was on TV…

…And I speak Baby Boomer. I used to watch Jack Paar.

I wore green for Uncle Sam and drove a rag top car.

Yeah, I speak Baby Boomer. My hair has gone to gray

and no one really cares to hear the things I have to say.

Jeff Hildebrandt © 2007

I was in the Army and National Guard. I was a volunteer Firefighter/EMT and I’ve been working in radio and television since 1968.

Let me make it clear that, at no time, did I make my living from the back of a horse. That’s both good and bad. Good because it allows me to relate to a majority of people who are drawn to western festivals and gatherings. Bad, because some hard core traditionalists who organize events won’t have anything to do with wanna-bes who might muddy up the waters of western wisdom.

It was while I was working in radio in Cincinnati, that poetry started oozing out of my fingertips. I’d find a funny story and re-write it in rhyme. I won a couple of news writing awards and that encouraged me to do more and more.

Later, I began writing what I refer to as “Confrontational Christian” poetry. I used poetry to point out the shallow stream of Christian commitment I was swimming in.

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace; how sweet the sound.

But when a wretch, like me

is faced with someone needing grace,

I’m blind and cannot see…

…Grace is what we get from God.

Grace is what we give.

Grace is not a mealtime prayer,

it should be how we live.

Jeff Hildebrandt © 2001

Needless to say, my observations were not too popular within certain denominations. And, since those denominations pretty much control Christian publishing, there was no interest in letting others read my musings.

When I started working for the Westerns movie channel, I was exposed to cowboy music and poetry. So, in 2000, I saddled up and started performing my brand of range rhymes. I found that the audiences seemed to appreciate what I had to say and how I said it.

Sayin’ Ain’t Bein’

Sayin’ you’re a cowboy don’t carry too much weight

if you never rode a fence line or fixed a saggin’ gate.

Dressed up all in denim with your boots and western hat,

you may look just like a cowboy but that’s not where it’s at.

A cowboy is a cowboy from way down deep inside.

He’s along to make a difference, not merely for the ride.

Sayin’ you’re a Christian is just about the same

if you’ve never trusted in the saving power of Jesus’ name.

Dressed up in your Sunday best for all the world to see

you may look just like a Christian, but you’re just a wanna be.

A Christian has been changed by God, from way down deep inside.

He’s along to make a difference not merely for the ride.

Jeff Hildebrandt © 2005

I have been blessed by God and I’m trying to use the gifts I’ve been given for His glory. I am always thrilled to be invited to take part in Cowboy Church

Cowboy Church

We sit on hay bales, folding chairs and arena bleachers. No one cares.

No trendy dresses or tailored suits. We mostly come in jeans and boots

to Cowboy Church.

As guitar music fills the place we sing about Amazing Grace.

One look around will make it clear Old-Time Religion’s practiced here.

They teach your worth is not your wealth, love your neighbor as yourself,

be peaceful; turn the other cheek, be confident but also meek.

They preach that in the Father’s plan The Way to save the souls of man

is only through one sacrifice; the death-for-all of Jesus Christ.

We come to praise the Lord above and share with others how His Love

has changed our lives and can change theirs. So come for fellowship and prayers

to Cowboy Church.

Jeff Hildebrandt © 2008

I've also been thrilled to be asked to perform my patriotic poetry for the wonderful folks at the Center for American Values in Pueblo, Colorado. They are keeping our flag flying where everyone can see it.

“Ridin’ for the Boss and the Brand,” is my latest book of poetry-with-a-purpose. It includes my rhymes along with observations, thoughts and insights about the need to get out of the pew and into the world to make a difference.

"Sayin Ain't Bein" is my journey of growing up in a home where going to church was expected. Then on to college where going to church was ignored. To adulthood where going to church was expected and finally to faith where going to church has become necessary.

Hopefully these writing and rhymes will encourage readers to use their faith, not just sit on it.