A jolly group of cowboys discuss their plans at ease
Said one I'll tell you something, boys, if you will listen, please
I am an old cow puncher and here I'm dressed in rags
I used to be a wild one and I'd take on great big jags
Oh I have a home, boys, and a good one you all know
Although I have not seen it since very long ago
But I am going home, boys, once more to see them all
I'm going back to Dixie when the work's all done this fall
After the roundup's over, after the shipping's done
I'm going straight back home, boys, 'fore all my money's gone
My mother's dear heart is breaking, breaking for me that's all
But with God's help I'll see her when the work's all done this fall
That very night this cowboy went out to stand his guard
The night was dark and cloudy and was storming very hard
The cattle they got frightened and rushed in wild stampede
The cowboy tried to head them while riding at full speed
While riding in the darkness so loudly he did shout
He tried his best to check them and to turn the herd about
His saddle horse did stumble and on him he did fall
He'll not see his mother when the work's all done this fall
They picked him up so gently and laid him on a bed
The boy he was so mangled that we all though him dead
He opened up his blue eyes and looking all around
He motioned to his comrades to sit near on the ground
Now send my mother my wages, the wages that I've earned
For I am so afraid, boys, the last steer I have turned
I'm going to a new range, I hear my Master's call
And I'll not see my mother when the work's all done this fall
Now Bill you take my saddle and Bob you take my bed
And Jim you take my pistol after I am dead
Then think of me kindly when you look upon them all
For I'll not see my mother when the work's all done this fall
Now Charlie was buried at sunrise, no tombstone for his head
There was nothing but a little board and this is what it said
"Charlie died at daybreak, he died from a fall
And he'll not see his mother when the work's all done this fall"