Their spirit soars across the brilliant Big Sky
Like an eagle spreading wings, ready to fly
Enriching man’s dreams in this last best, special place
Montana spirits continue to haunt the Treasure State
Following the sacred buffalo across the vast land
Native Americans roam the plains in small bands
Setting traps in beaver-rich streams during wintertime
Fur trappers pursue thick pelts for men’s hats very fine
Panning for gold along streams such as Alder Gulch
Miners rush to another strike on Last Chance Gulch
Building tracks for iron horses that seem to go forever
Railroads build mighty empires for men rich and clever
Pushing the unselfish Native Americans brutally aside
Their culture slowly fades away, but never their pride
Riding the cattle range from dawn until dusk
Cowboys work tirelessly in a life they trust
Toiling in an arid, unforgiving land that feels hostile
Homesteaders struggle and sometimes feel futile
Digging around the clock in copper mines deep underground
Miners work where safety is not much and accidents abound
Cutting the western forests’ tall pines down to size
Loggers harvest miles of timber as their final prize
Looking back at Montana’s past with much to relive and say
Many memories of the past fade, but a few remain today
Their spirit soars across the brilliant Big Sky
Like an eagle spreading wings, ready to fly
Montana uses two nicknames, Big Sky Country and Treasure State. Montana became the 41st state admitted to the Union in 1889.