My Heritage Heart
By Rodney Bartsch, September 2003

It was the late 1800’s and their freedom was the search to succeed,
Sailing the oceans and riding rails to find a better place to be,
Wagon trains moving over virgin terrain crossing river, hills and creeks,
That is how my family’s history started on the land that I now keep.

Building cabins, pushing plows, caring for the livestock upon their spread,
They were carpenters, farmers and ranchers, that’s how they
Kept their families fed.
Holes in their pants and callous hands was the daily visual you could see,
That is how my family’s history started on the land that I now keep.

My ancestors fought for rights so that we are now blessed,
The fathers, brothers, sons were injured and some
Brought home to rest.
High on prayers and low on pain they never showed to be weak,
That is how my family’s history started on the land that I now keep.

Being a fourth generation from this family that beat hard times by far,
I was told how they brought folks together by picking their guitars,
Sitting on the porch, picking at strings was a Sunday afternoon treat,
That is how my family’s history started on the land that I now keep.

Having not said to my ancestors is one regret never told,
That I am so very proud of my family’s historic soul,
For if not for the hard work, love, and passion that was passed on to me,
I would not be able to cherish the land and home that I now keep.