F
When I ride the roan mare  I'm free
F                                       Bb
When I ride the roan mare  boys I'm free
F
Bb
When I lie awake and sleep won't come cause my babies are gone
                  F                C    F
You know the night closes in on me

F
When I ride the bay stud I'm free
F                                  Bb
When I ride the bay stud  boys I'm free
F                                                                          Bb
When the mamas bawl in the weaning time cause my babies are gone
                F               C       F
You know the world closes in on me

F
I believe I'm going back to Elko town
F                                       Bb
I believe I'm going back to Elko town
        F
Bb
I'll be standing pat in a brand new hat  with my money in my hand
                  F     C               F
Hope that my old friends come around

F
When I die, let me go naturally
F                               Bb
When I die, I want to go naturally
F
Because I've travelled this world as a free man
                        Bb
One thing I ask of you
F                       C              F
Don't let them put no tubes in me.