It was early one morning, I passed St. James Hospital.
It was early one morning, morning month of me.
I looked in the window and I spotted a cowboy
wrapped up in white linen.
Well, he was cold as a clay.
Said, come, dear my boy,
come and seat yourself nigh me.
Come, dear father, come and sing me one song.
For my knee bones are aching
and my poor heart is breaking.
I know I'm a poor cowboy
and I know I don't want to die.

I know I've done wrong.
I want sixteen young gamblers
papa to carry my coffin.
I want sixteen young ho-gals
for to sing me my song.
Tell them bring along a bunch of
those sweet smelling roses.
So they can't smell me
as they drive me on.
T'was once in the saddle
papa used to go dashing.
Father, in my young days
when I used to be gay.
Down round that old church house
with them handsome young ladies.
Them girls ought to carry me,
follow me to my grave.
¶¶
¶ It was early one morning
I passed St. James Hospital.
¶ Lord, it was early one morning i passed St. James Hospital.


Morning, morning, month of May
I looked in the window
And I spotted a dear cowboy
And he was wrapped in white linen
He was colder than glue
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