VERSE 1
It was first in th saddle I used to go dashing
Next on my pony, I used to ride gay
Then first t' card playin' then whiskey drinkin'
Got shot in th breast n' dying today
CHORUS:
Go beat th drum slowly, play th fife holy
Play th dead mach as they carry me on
Go carry me t' th graveyard, throw th sod o'er me
For I'm a young cowboy an' I know I've done wrong
VERSE 2
Go write my dear ole Mother a letter
An' back it to Sister I love so dear
But there is one that's dearer than Mother
O, how she would weep if she knew I were here
VERSE 3
Go bring me a glass pure cold water
Of pure cold water, th cowboy said,
But when I returned his spirit had left him
He had went to his Maker, th cowboy was dead
VARIANTS:
0084 Western Song
0380 Tom Shermans Bar
0457 Lidian Baroom
0550 Streets of Laredo
0642 Way down in Lodora
1222 Tom Shermans Barroom
OTHER COLLECTIONS:
Randolph: II-182 The Cowboys Lament
Belden: p. 392 The Unfortunate Rake
Brown: II-263 The Unfortunate Rake
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