Cat. #0305 (MFH #88) - As sung by Nancy Philley, Fayetteville, Arkansas on December 17, 1958
VERSE 1
We were out on th prairie
On a cattle range, one night
We were lying with our heads on our saddles
And th fires were burning bright
Some were telling stories
And some were singing songs
While others lay idlely smoking
As the hours rolled on
VERSE 2
At last, they fell to talking
Of distance friends, so dear
When a man raised his head, from his saddle
And brushed away a tear
VERSE 3
Beware of a palace
That I have left alone
I'd give my pony and saddle
To be at home, sweet home
VERSE 4
We asked him, why he left his home
If it was so dear, to him
He sat there for a moment
Till his eyes with tears grew dim
He sot for a moment
And looked th crowd all o'er
He said, now boys I'll tell you why
I left ole Kansas shore
VERSE 5
I fell in love with a farmers girl
With cheeks so fair and white
Another boy that loved her too
And it ended in a fight
That boys name was Thomas Smith
And we'd been friends from boys
And oft together, we would go
For pleasure and for joy
VERSE 6
And tho' how I shuttered
To think of that sad night
When Tom and I first quarreled
I struck him with my knife
VERSE 7
I knelt down beside him
And tried to stop th blood
That flowed from his side
In a crimson flood
And now, when I am sleeping
I can hear Tom, as he said
Now, Bob ole boy, you'll be sorry
When you see me lying dead
VERSE 8
So, now you know th reason why
I am compelled to roam
To leave my dear ole Mother
And my home sweet home