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In case you hadn't noticed it, these two were gettin' old.

Rusty's hair was turnin' gray, and Dusty's hands were cold.

however, each had very special kinds of stories to be told,

and neither realized how quickly things would soon unfold!

Rusty knew that Train School wasn't free by any means,

and Dusty knew that cowboys paid for whole lots more than beans.

They drifted off to sleep, but soon awakened with a jolt -

for each one had a vision strike him like a lightening bolt!

"What if we taught each other how to do the things we know?"

"And then we'd sing and play for kids in schools with our own show!"

They'd have to put in lots of work to learn their acting roles - 

but, both felt it was worth a try to help them reach their goals.

Well, they decided then and there if they were ever parted,

they'd come back each and every year to where the whole thing started.

And just to make sure that their vows were legal and official,

upon a great big nearby rock, they each carved their initials.

Now. you'll recall that Dusty played, but wouldn't sing a note.

And Rusty wrote and sang, but couldn't play to what he wrote!

There sure enough was a problem for these two to figure out ...

but, solving things together is what this life's all about.

At first, their fears stood in the way, and everything went wrong.

Yet, when they shared encouragement, the fears they felt were gone!

When Rusty's fingers faltered, Dusty did not criticise.

When Dusty's voice was squeaky, Rusty helped him harmonize.

A team is what they soon became, by sharing what they knew.

Dusty sort of learned to sing, and Rusty learned a tune.

It took a ton of practice and a ton of patience, too -

but soon, they felt they had it down, so off they went to school!

Now, maybe you have heard of those whose nerves are made of steel. But, let me tell you right now how those two began to feel.

There's absolutely, positively, no chance of denyin' - on the outside they were sweatin' - on the inside they were dyin'!

The crowd inside was silent when they opened up the door,

and not a word was spoken as they inched across the floor.

They felt as though a million eyes were were staring - maybe more!

And they stared back with their eyes, too. (Which numbered only four.)

The tension grew. What would they do? For now, the two had frozen.

They weren't now sure if they'd go through with this thing they had chosen.

And when it looked impossible that things could get much worse,

Rusty broke a string - and Dusty cursed a cowboy curse!

Then, somewhere from a distant row, the help they needed came.

It was a solitary soul, and Karen was her name.

She stood and shouted loud and clear so all would understand:

"Those guys should have encouragement!' And then ...she clapped her hands.

The thoughtful idea Karen had soon caught on with the crowd,

and what had started quietly, grew thunder-clapping loud!!

Inspiration filled the two, and fears were blown away.

They tipped their hats to Karen, and prepared themselves to play!

You'd think a future cowboy and a future engineer, 

would like to play the twangy tunes that those folks like to hear.

But, these two weren't your usual types - who cared if they were old?

They straightened up, and proudly shouted, "We play rock and roll!"

They played a rock and rollin' tune, and when the last note rang,

the crowd went wild - but realized, that only Rusty sang!

Had Dusty found encouragement? No one had any clues ...

until he started 'speaking' special music called the blues!

And when that song was over, those two headed for the door -

but, Karen stood again and shouted, "Won't you play one more?!"

Then, with a wave of thanks to all, they honored her request, as Rusty faded in the East, and Dusty in the West.

Well, you might be a wonderin' what became of those two friends.

They played in many schools, but that's not where their story ends!

They encouraged one another - each one took their own advice, and both went on to do the things they'd dreamed of all their lives.

Rusty went to school and earned his locomotive license,

and Dusty found a ranch where he could hang out with the bisons.

Then time went by and lots of brand new railroad tracks were laid,

and one track passed a place where once a friendship had been made.

And there those friends still meet each year with stories of content, 

for they both reached their life-long dreams, through kind encouragement.