When The Work's All Done This Fall
Michael Martin Murphey

Intro:G7-C
C                               F
A  group of jolly cowboys, discussing plans at ease
      G7                                                      C
Says one, I'll tell you something, boys, if you will listen, please
                              F
I am an old cow-puncher, you see me dressed in rags
    G7                                               C
I used to be a good one boys, and went on great big jags


I have got a home boys, a good one you all know
Although I haven't seen it, since very long ago
I'm headed back to Dixie once more to see them all
I'm going to see my mother when the work's all done this fall

When I left my home, boys, my mother for me cried
She begged me not to go, boys, for me she would have died
Mother's heart is aching, breaking for me, that's all
With God's help I'll see her when the work's all done this fall

Instrumental: C-F-G7

(Change keys ½ Step)
C                                F
That very night this cowboy went out to stand his guard
     G7                                         C
The night was dark and cloudy and storming very hard
                                     F
The cattle, they got frightened and rushed in wild stampede
      G7                                           C
The cowboy tried to head them while riding at full speed


Riding in the darkness, so loudly he did shout
Trying hard to head them and turn the herd about
His saddle horse did stumble and on him it did fall
He'll not see his mother when the work's all done this fall

Instrumental: C-F-G7

(Change keys ½ Step)
D                                   G
Send my mother my wages, boys, the wages I have earned
  A7                                          D 
I am so afraid, boys, the last steer I have turned
                               G
I'm headed for a new range, I hear my Master call
      A7                                              D
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
Please think of me kindly when you look upon them all
I'll not see my mother when the work's all done this fall

Charlie was buried at sunrise, no tombstone for his head
Nothing but a little board, and this is what it said
Charlie died at daybreak, he died from a fall
He'll not see his mother when the work's all done this fall