There is a young cowboy
He lives on the range
His horse and his cattle
Are his only companions
He works in the saddle
And he sleeps in the canyon
Waiting for summer
His pastures to change
And as the moon rises
He sits by his fire
Thinking about women
And glasses of beer
And closing his eyes
As the dogies retire
He sings out a song
Which is soft but it's clear
As if maybe someone could hear
Goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rock-a-bye sweet baby James
Deep greens and blues
Are the colors I choose
Won't you let me go down in my dreams
And rock-a-bye sweet baby James
Now the first of December
Was covered in snow
So was the turnpike
From Stockbridge to Boston
Though the Berkshires
Seemed dream-like
On account of that frosting
With ten miles behind me
And ten thousand more to go
There's a song that they sing
When they take to the highway
A song that they sing
When they take to the sea
A song that they sing
Of their home in the sky
Maybe you can believe it
If it helps you to sleep
But singing works just fine for me
Goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rock-a-bye sweet baby James
Deep greens and blues
Are the colors I choose
Won't you let me go down in my dreams
And Rock-a-bye sweet baby James
And Rock-a-bye sweet baby James