A group of jolly cowboys discussing plans at ease;

voiceCollected by Karl T. Gosnell For Mary C. Parler Sung by Dickie Jewell Ola, Arkansas November 27, 1958 Reel 272, Item 18 A Group of Jolly Cowboys A group of jolly cowboys Discussing plans at ease; Said one, "I'll tell you something, boys, If you will listen, please. I am an old cowpuncher; Although I'm dressed in rags, I used to be a good one And go on great big jags. I've got a home, boys, A good one, you all know, Although I have not seen them Since a long, long time ago. When I left my home, boys, My mother for me cried; She begged me not to leave her; For me she would have died. So after the roundup's over, And after the shipping’s done, Well, I am going home, boys, When the work’s all done next fall.” That very night, the cowboy Went out to stand on guard. The night was dark and cloudy, And storming very hard. While riding in the darkness, So loudly he did shout; He tried his best to herd them And turn the herd about. His saddle horse did stumble, And on him he did fall. The boy won't see his mother When the work's all done next fall. They picked him up so gently And laid him on his bed. He motioned to his comrades To sit near him on the ground.A Group of Jolly Cowboys (Cont'd) Reel 272, Item 18 (Cont'd) "Send my mother my wages, The wages I have earned. For I'll not see my mother When the work's all done next fall I'm going to a new range; I hear the Master's call. But still I won't see my mother When the work's all done next fall "Bill, you take my saddle; George, you take my bed; Jack may have my pistol After I am dead. And please think of me kindly When you look upon them all. For I'll not see my mother When the work's all done next fall Poor Charley died at daybreak, Ho tombstone for his head, Nothing but a little board And this is what it said: "Poor Charley died at daybreak, He died from the fall; And he'll not see his mother When the work's all done next fallFunding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation