Turn West When in Doubt
Performed by Debbie “Hayride” Harper & The Prairie Songbirds
[Verse 1]
City lights are bright, but they’ll burn you out,
Too much noise and rush, and too much doubt,
You’ve been chasing dreams on the crowded streets,
But the road to peace ain’t made of concrete.
When the hustle’s got you feelin’ low,
And the grind just takes its toll,
There’s a place where the sun sets slow,
Where the prairie winds can soothe your soul.
[Chorus]
Wanna nice life? Turn west when in doubt,
Where the skies are wide, and the worries fade out.
There’s a quiet road where the sunsets blaze,
And the simple life is how we’re raised.
Wanna nice life? Just head on down,
To the open plains and a one-horse town.
[Verse 2]
The west is calling with a cowboy’s song,
Where the days are easy, and the nights are long,
The stars shine brighter, the air’s so clean,
It’s the kinda place where you find your dream.
Leave behind the noise, the rush, the race,
Find yourself in a slower pace,
Where the mountains stand and the rivers run,
And life’s measured out in work and fun.
[Chorus]
Wanna nice life? Turn west when in doubt,
Where the skies are wide, and the worries fade out.
There’s a quiet road where the sunsets blaze,
And the simple life is how we’re raised.
Wanna nice life? Just head on down,
To the open plains and a one-horse town.
[Bridge]
Out where the buffalo roam so free,
And the eagles soar high over every tree,
You’ll find peace in the open space,
In the warmth of a good friend’s face.
[Verse 3]
So pack your bags, leave the past behind,
Out west, a better life you’ll find,
Where the world’s as big as your heart can dream,
And the rivers run like a hopeful stream.
When in doubt, just turn to the west,
It’s where the heart finds what’s best,
The horizon’s wide, the future’s bright,
Head out west for a brand new life.
[Chorus]
Wanna nice life? Turn west when in doubt,
Where the skies are wide, and the worries fade out.
There’s a quiet road where the sunsets blaze,
And the simple life is how we’re raised.
Wanna nice life? Just head on down,
To the open plains and a one-horse town.
[Outro]
Wanna nice life? Yeah, turn west when in doubt,
Where the cowboy’s path is the only route.
Find your peace where the land runs free,
In the west, is where you’re meant to be.
“Turnin’ West When in Doubt” (1979)
(A Cowboy Poem written by Alan Nafzger)
When life gets hard and the city’s too loud,
And your spirit’s lost in the bustling crowd,
There’s a whisper carried on the wind’s soft shout,
Sayin’, “Cowboy, it’s time—turn west when in doubt.”
The streets of gold ain’t paved with dreams,
But out past the mountains, in the sunset’s gleam,
Where the skies stretch wide, and the air runs clean,
That’s where you’ll find what livin’ truly means.
I’ve seen the dust rise on a quiet road,
Where every mile carries a lighter load,
The grass ain’t greener but it sure feels right,
Under the blaze of the stars in the cool, calm night.
Where the sun sinks slow and the days drift by,
You’ll find peace under a big ol’ sky,
A place where a man can rest his soul,
Out in the West, where the world’s whole.
So when the world is weighin’ heavy on your back,
And you’re searchin’ for the courage you lack,
Don’t think twice, just head on out,
To the land that calls when you’re deep in doubt.
For the cowboy knows what the sagebrush says,
And the heart finds peace in the sunset’s reds,
When life’s too tangled and the fight’s worn thin,
Turn west, cowboy, and let your new life begin.
The West ain’t a place, it’s a state of mind,
It’s where you leave all the trouble behind,
So grab your reins, ride into the light,
The West waits for those who wanna live right. 
