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 and now I'm dressed in rags
I used to be a tough one and go on great big drags
But I have got a home boys, a good one you all know
Although I have not seen it since long, long ago
I'm going back to Dixie once more to see them all
I'm going to see my mother when the work's all done this fall
After the roundup's over, after the shipping's done
I'm going home
I'm going right straight home boys for all my money's gone
I have changed my ways boys and no more will I fall
And I am going home boys when the work's all done this fall
Music
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 broken, it broke for me that's all
With God's help I will go home boys for me she would have died
I'm going back to Dixie once more to 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 riding 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 on him it did fall
Now he won't see his mother when the work's all done this fall
Music
His body was so mangled the boys all thought him dead
They picked him up so gently and laid him on the bed
He opened wide his blue eyes and looking all around
He motioned to his comrade sitting near me on the ground
Boys said my mom my wages, the wages I owe you
I have earned
For I am so afraid boys, my last year I have turned
I'm going to a new range I hear the Masters call
And 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
Bill you take my pistol after I am dead


And 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.
For Charlie was buried at sunrise, no tombstone at his head.
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.