Soon I'll be left with no words to write
Staring into that cold bitter night
I'll be left with no stories to tell
And I'll hear that most lonesomest bell
This song chimes out that most awful sound
Of those ringin' bells as I tell everyone round
That I love them so but do bid them adieu
For I'll never know when my time is through
So it's so long and fare-thee-well
When it's my time to go
No tongue may tell
So long and goodbye
For nobody knows
When it'll be my time to die
Wont you tell mother, and father, and friends
That I loved them all dearly come time for the end
Tell all my grandkids, and daughters, and sons
That I tried to do all that I knew could be done
Wont you please be sure to tell my fair love
That I'll be watching her from the blue skies above
And if she so happens to find her a man
I hope that she knows that I understand
So it's so long and fare-thee-well
When it's my time to go
No tongue may tell
So long and goodbye
For nobody knows
When it'll be my time to die
They say that every dog has his day
I'm way past my day and well on my way
Don't know where I come, but know where I'm bound
To be lyin' 6 feet dead underground
For now I'm doin' all the best that I can
To tell everybody living in this great land
That all their lives matter and their voices is strong
If we get together we can fix this world gone wrong
So it's so long and fare-thee-well
When it's my time to go
No tongue may tell
So long and goodbye
For nobody knows
When it'll be my time to die