When the Work's All Done This Fall

A group of jolly cowboys Discussin' plans at ease Says one, "I'll tell you somethin', boys If you will listen, please" "I am an old cow-puncher And here I'm dressed in rags I used to be a tough one And go on great big jags" "But now I've got a home, boys A good one, you all know Although I have not seen it Since long, long ago" "I'm goin' back to Dixie Once more to see them all I'm goin' to see my mother 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 stormin' very hard The cattle, they got frightened And rushed in wild stampede The cowboy tried to head them While ridin' at full speed While riding in the darkness So loudly did he shout Trying his best to head them And turn the herd about His saddle-horse did stumble And upon him did fall Poor boy won't see his mother When the work's all done this fall Now, Fred, you take my saddle George, you take my bed Bill, you take my pistol After I am dead Think of me so kindly When you look upon them all For I'll not see my mother When the work's all done this fall Send my mother my wages The wages I have earned For I am afraid, boys My last year I have turned I'm goin' 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 Poor Charlie was buried at sunrise No tombstone at his head Nothin' 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"