'When the Work Is Done This Fall.' From the John Burch Blaylock
Collection.
1 A group of jolly cowboys discussing plans at ease,
Says one, T'll tell you something, boys, if you will listen,
please.
I'm an old cowpuncher and here I'm dressed in rags,
But I used to be a tough one, and take on big jags.
2 'But I've got a home, boys, a good one, you all know.
Although I haven't seen it since long, long ago.
I'm going back to Dixie once more to see them all ;
Yes, I'm going to see my mother when the work is done
this fall.
3 'After the round-ups are over and after the shipping's done,
I'm going straight home, boys, before all my money is
gone.
I have changed my ways, boys ; no more will I fall.
And I'm going home, boys, when the work is done this
fall.
4 'When I left home, boys, my mother for me cried.
Begged me not to go, boys ; for me she would have died.
My mother's heart is breaking, breaking for me, that's all ;
And with God's help I'll see her, when the work is done
this fall.'
NATIVE AMERICAN BALLADS 619
5 That very night this cowboy went out to stand his guard.
The night was dark and cloudy and storming awful hard.
The cattle they got frightened and rushed in wild stampede ;
The cowboy tried to herd them, riding at full speed.
6 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 did fall.
The poor boy won't see his mother when the work is done
this fall.
7 His body was so mangled the boys all thought him dead.
They picked him up so gently, and laid him on a bed.
He opened wide his blue eyes and, looking all around,
He motioned his comrades to sit near him on the ground.
8 'Boys, send mother my wages, the wages I have earned.
For I'm afraid, boys, my 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 is done this fall.
9 'Fred, you take my saddle ; George, you take my bed ;
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 is done this
fall.'
10 Poor 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 is done this
fall.'