Dying Ranger Songtext
von Dock Boggs

The sun was sinking in the west and throwing the lingering ray
Through the branches of a forest where wounded ranger lay
A group had gathered around him, his comrades in the fight
A tear rolled down each manly cheek as they bade his last goodnight
One tried and true companion was kneeling by his side
To stop the life-blood flowing, but alas in vain he tried
To stop the life-blood flowing, he found ′twas all in vain
The tears rolled down each manly cheek like light showers of rain
Draw closer to me, comrades, and listen to what I say
I'm a-going to tell a story, one the spirit′s hastened away
A way back in Northwest Texas, that good old Lone Star State
There's one that for my coming with a worried heart will wait


It's a fair young girl, my sister, my only joy, my pride
She was my friend from boyhood, had no one left beside
I′ve loved her as a brother and with a father′s care
I strove from grief and sorrow her gentle heart to spare
But our country was invaded, she called for volunteers
She threw her arms around me, then bursted into tears
Saying, go my darling brother, go a stranger from our shore
My heart may need your presence, but our country needs you more
It's true I love my country, for her I gave my all
If it had not been for my sister, boys, I′d be content to fall
I'm dying, comrades, dying, she′ll never see me more
But in vain she'll wait my coming by a little cabin door