The Cowboy's Lament Lyrics

As I passed by Tom Sherman's barroom,
Tom Sherman's barroom so early one morn,
I spied a young boy all dressed in his buckskins,
Dressed like a picture, all fit for his grave,

[Chorus]
So beat the drum lowly and play the fife slowly,
Beat up the death march that carries me along,
Take me to the prairie and fire a volley o'er me,
For I'm a young cowboy dying alone…


“Once in my saddle I used to go dashing,
Once in my saddle I used to ride high,
But these things are behind me,
Left there behind me –
My brother, he fell in my arms!” the boy cried….

Someone please write to my grey-headed mother,
Her heart to the flag, her hand placed in fear,
Then to the other far dearer than mother,
Who will bitterly weep when she finds I am here…

Quick cast me a net, my hours are leaving,
I've felt the cold lead in my side where I lay,
Oh mother, my brothers are falling around me,
They say I'm a cowboy, and dying today…

Oh bury beside me my gold-colored medal,
My ring in my hand and gun at my side,
Over my coffin lay a bottle of brandy
That the cowboys may drink as they carry me down…
[Chorus]