"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