O Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie - Michael Martin Murphey

«O bury me not on the lone prairie»

These words came low and mournfully

From the pallid lips of the youth who lay

On his dying bed at the close of day.

«O bury me not on the lone prairie

Where the wild coyote will howl o’er me Where the buffalo roams the prairie sea

O bury me not on the lone prairie»

«It makes no difference, so I’ve been told

Where the body lies when life grows cold

But grant, I pray, one wish to me

O bury me not on the lone prairie»

«I've often wished to be laid when I die

By the little church on the green hillside

By my father’s grave, there let mine be O bury me not on the lone prairie»

The cowboys gathered all around the bed

To hear the last word that their comrade said

«O partners all, take a warning from me Never leave your homes for the lone prairie»

«Don't listen to the enticing words

Of the men who own droves and herds

For if you do, you’ll rue the day

That you left your homes for the lone prairie»

«O bury me not,"but his voice failed there

But we paid no head to his dying prayer

In a narrow grave, just six by three

We buried him there on the lone prairie

We buried him there on the lone prairie

Where the buzzards fly and the wind blows free

Where rattlesnakes rattle, and the tumbleweeds

Blow across his grave on the lone prairie

And the cowboys now as they cross the plains

Have marked the spot where his bones are lain

Fling a handful of roses on his grave

And pray to the Lord that his soul is saved

In a narrow grave, just six by three

We buried him there on the lone prairie