Cat. #0084 (MFH #572) - As sung by Mr. J. W. Breazeal, Springfield, Missouri on April 27, 1958
VERSE 1
When once in my saddle I used to go dashing
When once in my saddle I used to be gay
I first took to drinking an' then to card playing
Got shot in th breast and I know I must die
CHORUS
Then carry me to th graveyard and throw th sod o'er me
I'm only a cowboy, I know I've done wrong
VERSE 2
Go call all around you a crowd of young cowboys
And tell to them of their comrades sad fate
Go tell to one another before you go farther
An' stop the wild roving before it's to late
VERSE 3
Someone write a letter to my gray haired Mother
And break the sad news to my sister, dear
But, o, there's another more dearer than a sister
Who'd bitterly weep if she knew I were here