Cat. #1227 (MFH #782) - As sung by Mrs. Claudie and Glenda Sue Richardson, Mountain View, Arkansas on August 31, 1971
VERSE 1
A group of jolly cowboys
Discussing things at ease
Says, one, I'll tell you something, boys
If you will listen please
VERSE 2
I am an ole cowpuncher
An' here I'm dressed in rags
An' I used to be a tough one
An' take on great big jags
VERSE 3
But I have got a home, boys
A good one you all know
Although I have not seen it
Since long, long ago
VERSE 4
I'm going back to Dixie
Once more to see them all
An' I'm going to see my Mother
When th works all done this fall
VERSE 5
After th roundups are over
An' ---- is done
I'm going straight home, boys
All my money is gone
VERSE 6
I have ---- --- --- ----
No more wil I -------
I'm going home boys
When th work's all done this fall
VERSE 7
When I left home, boys
My Mother for me did cry
---- --- --- ----
---- ------ ---- ---
VERSE 8
My Mother's heart is breaking
Breaking for me, that's all
And with God's help, I'll see her
When th work's all done this fall
VERSE 9
That night, this cowboy
Went out to stand his guard
Th night was dark an' cloudy
An' stormin' very hard
VERSE 10
Th cattle they got frightened
An' rushed in wild stampeed
That cowboy tried to herd them
While riding at full speed
VERSE 11
---- ---- ---- -----
So loudly did he shout
Tryin' his best to heard them
An' turn th herd about
VERSE 12
His saddle horse did stumble
An' on him it did fall
Now, poor boy won't see his Mother
When th work's all done this fall
VERSE 13
His body was -----
Th boys all thought him dead
They picked him up so gently
An' laid him on a bed
VERSE 14
He opened wide, his blue eyes
An' looked all around
He motioned for his comrades
To set him on th ground
VERSE 15
Send Mother, my wages
Th wages I have earned
For I'm afraid, boys
My last steer I have turned
VERSE 16
Im a going to a new range
I heard my Master call
An' I'll see my Mother
When th work's all done this fall
VERSE 17
Fred, you take my saddle
An' George, you take my bed
Bill, you take my pistol
After I am dead
VERSE 18
---- ---- ----- ----
When you look upon them all
For I'll not see my Mother
When the work's all done this fall
VERSE 19
Poor Charles was dead at sunrise
A tombstone at his head
Nothing but a little board
An' this is what it said
VERSE 20
Charley died at daybreak
He died from a fall
An' he'll not see his Mother
When the work's all done this fall