Cat. #0775 (MFH #715) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on June 25, 1969
VERSE 1
Come, all you western cowboys
Bound on th sober land
A story I will tell you
While you around me stand
I'm going to th wild west
Th bleak an' stormy plain
Our ending o'er leave thee
I'll never return again
VERSE 2
I've left my home an' friends so true
A many a parting tear
My Father following, saying, my boy
My boy, my boy, I fear
May God protect an' guide thee
And never leave alone
An' bring my wandering boy back
To his own native home
VERSE 3
A litle girl, so fond an' true
Set closely by my side
She promised me so faithful
That she would be my bride
I kissed away th tears that flow'd
That filled her mild blue eyes
I'll never forget my darling girl
Her Mamma's sweetest child
VERSE 4
O, sweetheart, dear sweetheart
It's for your sake alone
I've left my native country
My parents an' my home
I've left my dear ole Mother
To grieve an' to mourn
To be a rov'n cowboy
An' with th cattle to roam
VERSE 5
I've tried those streets of Ramalee
I know their portions well
I've crossed th rocky mount'ns
Where many of a brave boy fell
I've seen those western countries
Where Indians crue an' wile
I'll never forget my darling girl
I'll love her till I die
VERSE 6
Come all you western cowboys
Bound on th sober land
Come one of each and all of you
I'll take th parting hand
I'm going to quit th wild west
Th bleak an' stormy plain
An' bid farewell t' cow drive'in
An' quit th western range