1. Raised middle class in the middle of the Midwest.
First third of the Lord’s Prayer on his slim chest.
The flag and eagle on his arm might mean more
If migraines hadn’t kept him out of the Marine Corps.
Take him to the Westwest, watch him adapt
To conditions outside of his natural habitat.
Makes himself at home, no apprehension,
‘Cause he already conquered Red Dead Redemption.
Already in possession of the world’s worst farmer’s tan.
Already nodding off before we even start the van.
So intent on being able to recline
That when we piled all the filthy gear on him he said he didn’t mind.
Only wakes up now and then to identify
The road bikes of cyclists we drive by
Or to tell us all a story of a youthful indiscretion.
Doesn’t take the wheel, doesn’t give any directions.

Chorus: Delange in the West, for better or worse,
Might be in the West, but he’s still DeLange first.
DeLange in the West, far from home,
He’s in the West, but he’s still DeLange to the bone.

2. A blue bandana and a bared midriff,
Looking for a rock to roll over a cliff,
Or to two-hand spike into a pool of muck.
Chuckling, starts searching for another to chuck.
Stiff posture, weak smile, he knows how it goes,
He’s the all-time champ of the senior picture pose.
It’s no big deal for the former homecoming king
Just beneath the surface eager for another summoning.
Visiting the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame:
He got a discount from the girl but not a number or a name.
In Panguitch, Utah in the C-Stop window he was formally presented,
But the girls didn’t get it.
In a gas station parking lot in Big Springs,
We never could have guessed how tenaciously he’d cling
To the van seat so we couldn’t drag him back inside
To ask the girl working the counter to be his bride.

Chorus: DeLange in the West, look at him go.
In the West, but still the DeLange we all know.
DeLange in the West, DeLangein’ it up.
With a DeLangeness too robust to corrupt.

3. He’d be better off lying
About the a.m. event in the tent in Zion.
And just ‘cause there’s a place where angels land
Doesn’t mean that’s a place where DeLange’ll stand.
Only feats of athleticism merit high-fives from DeLange,
Otherwise, he’s gonna leave you to hang.
He might deign to grant you one of the reluctant sort
If he decides on a whim that your hike counts as sport.
Beartooth: cheap whiskey in a bottle of plastic.
Bad tactic, should’ve bought a better brand and flasked it.
That awful “many moons” joke still has him laughing.
Talking “transcendent beauty of redheads” with passion.
Insists “whodey” is a noun whatever you say.
In a new place, no use for a new way.
Nothing out of character, he is what he’s been.
Wherever he goes, you know he’s right there with him.

Chorus: Delange in the West, he’s not gonna change.
The West does its best and DeLange remains.
DeLange in the West, always the same.
The West is the West and DeLange’s DeLange.