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)