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THE DYING COWBOY (A JOLLY GROUP OF COWBOYS) Sung by: Mrs. Joan Arnold Hays Recorded in Wilburn, AR 9/6/62 Click here to listen to the original recording On far-off range one night, Their heads were on their saddles, And camp was burning bright. Some were telling stories, And some were singing songs. One was quietly smoking As the hours rolled on . . . (Mrs. Hays: "Now, I believe I'm on the wrong song. I believe that's 'Cowboy Jack'." ??: "You're doing all right. No, that's not 'Cowboy Jack.' Go on with it.") Soon they fell to talking Of home they loved so dear. One boy rode up on his saddle And brushed away a tear. They asked him why he'd left his home That was so dear to him. He gazed at the ground for a moment, And his bright blue eyes grew dim. He gazed at the ground for a moment And viewed the rough . . . , Saying, "Boys, I'll tell you my story, Why I'm at home no more. "I fell in love with the neighbor's girl, Whose cheeks were pale and white, Another fellow loved her too, So it ended with a fight. "This fellow's name was Thomas Jones. We knew each other as boys. We shared each other's sorrows, And shared each other's joys. "I never, never shall forget That awful, awful night When Tom and I were quarrelling. I stabbed him with a knife. "I fell to the ground beside him To try to stop the blood. A wounded side did flow, boys; It flowed a crimson flood. "Now, boys, I've told you my story, Why I'm at home no more, A sinner in this desperate land, So far away from home." (Comment by Mrs. Hays: "I've got that wrong. It goes, 'Why I'm compelled to roam'.") Also found in Brown, Vol. II, #265, "A Jolly Group of Cowboys." |
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All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas Back to the Song Index Back to the Wolf Collection Homepage ©Copyright 2002 Lyon College |