The Fugitive’s Lament

The Delmore Brothers

 

I hear the sad howling of coyotes a-prowling,

It sounds so lonesome to me.

It brings back memories of cherished loved ones

And one I’m longing to see.

 

            I’m riding alone out on the lone prairie,

            The rangers are searching for me.

            I’m riding away from my home in Texas,

            A fugitive ever to be.

 

I had a good mother, I had a good father,

They handed a warning to me.

The men that I ran with committed a murder,

And laid the blame on me.

 

Little Mary my sweetheart I know she’s lonely

And longing for me to return,

My happiness ended the night we parted,

And now for her I yearn

 

How lonely, how dreary with nothing to cheer me,

My thoughts are stealing back home.

This life of sadness will see no gladness

I’m branded forever to roam.