When the Work's All Done This Fall - Michael Martin Murphey

A group of jolly cowboys, discussing plans at ease

Says one, I’ll tell you something, boys, if you will listen, please

I am an old cow-puncher, you see me dressed in rags

I used to be a good one boys, and went on great big jags

I have got a home boys, a good one you all know

Although I haven’t seen it since very long ago

I’m headed back to Dixie once more to see them all

I’m going to see my mother when the work’s all done this fall

When I left my home, boys, my mother for me cried

She begged me not to go, boys, for me she would have died

My mother’s heart is aching, breaking for me, that’s all

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 storming very hard

The cattle, they got frightened and rushed in wild stampede

The cowboy tried to head them while riding at full speed

Riding in the darkness, so loudly he did shout

Trying hard to head them and turn the herd about

His saddle horse did stumble and on him it did fall

He’ll not see his mother when the work’s all done this fall

Send my mother my wages, boys, the wages I have earned

I am so afraid, boys, the last steer I have turned

I’m headed for a new range, I hear my Master call

I’ll not see my mother when the work’s all done this fall

Fred, you take my saddle, George, you take my bed

Bill, you take my pistol after I am dead

Then think of me kindly when you look upon them all

I’ll not see my mother when the work’s all done this fall

Charlie was buried at sunrise, no tombstone for his head

Nothing but a little board, and this is what it said

Charlie died at daybreak, he died from a fall

He’ll not see his mother when the work’s all done this fall