Lyr. Add: AFTER THE ROUNDUP (When the Work's...)
(D. J. O'Malley original, 1893)

A group of jolly cowboys discussed their plans at ease.
Said one, "I'll tell you something, boys, if you please:
See, I'm a puncher, dressed most in rags.
I used to be a wild one and took on big jags.
I have a home, boys, a good one, you know,
But I haven't seen it since long, long ago.
But I'm going home, boys, once more to see them all.
Yes, I'll go back home when work is done this fall.

"After the roundup's over, after the shipping's done,
I'm going straight back home, boys, ere all my money's gone.
My mother's dear heart is breaking, breaking for me, that's all;
But, with God's help I'll see her, when work is done this fall.

"When I left my home, boys, for me she cried,
Begging me to stay, boys. For me she'd have died.
I haven't used her right, boys. My hard-earned cash I've spent,
When I should have saved it and it to mother sent.
But, I've changed my course, boys. I'll be a better man
And help my poor old mother. I'm sure that I can.
I'll walk in the straight path. No more will I fall,
And I'll see my mother when work's done this fall."

That very night this cowboy went on guard.
The night it was dark and 'twas storming very hard.
The cattle got frightened and rushed in mad stampede.
He tried to check them, riding full speed.

Riding in the darkness, loud he did shout,
Doing his utmost to turn the herd about.
His saddle horse stumbled on him did fall.
He'll not see his mother when work's done this fall.

They picked him up gently and laid him on a bed.
The poor boy was mangled. They thought he was dead.
He opened his blue eyes and gazed all around,
Then motioned his comrades to sit near him on the ground.
"Send her the wages that I have earned.
Boys, I'm afraid that my last steer I've turned.
I'm going to a new range. I hear the Master call.
I'll not see my mother when work's done this fall.

"Bill, take my saddle. George, take my bed.
Fred, take my pistol after I am dead.
Think of me kindly when on them you look."
His voice then grew fainter. With anguish he shook.
His friends gathered closer and on them he gazed,
His breath coming fainter, his eyes growing glazed.
He uttered a few words, heard by them all:
"I'll see my mother when work's done this fall."

D. J. White, SA Ranch (One of O'Malley's pseudonyms).

Published in the "Stock Growers' Journal, Miles City, MT, October 4, 1893. Facsimile printed in "D. J. O'Malley, 'Cowboy Poet," by D. J. O'Malley and John I. White, The Montana Folklife Project, 1986, Helena, MT; booklet originally published and copyrighted by D. J. O'Malley in 1934.
John I. White published "Git Along, Little Dogies," 1975, Univ. Illinois Press. This book has a biography on O'Malley. O'Malley went to work for the Home Land and Cattle Company, MT, in 1884.