I toiled and worked to make enough to live,
no thought to all, that each day I had to give,
just to make the things my family needs,
but ever mindful of every one of my deeds
to make sure I live a life of honor and pride,
and have nothing from my children to hide.
So I close my eyes until the morning sun,
my daily race in life has again been run.

My life it seems has been given for others,
not the way I would, if I had my druthers.
I went away and fought in a foreign war,
so they could not set foot on our shore,
until finally so weakened and nearly lame,
home to profane curses and jeers I came.
So I close my eyes until the morning sun,
my daily race in life has again been run.

I found a good woman and a tract of land,
determined here we would make a stand.
I gave it my blood, sweat, and even tears,
working hard for many of my short years,
until she said that she was finally done
and off with a rich man she did surely run.
So I close my eyes until the morning sun,
my daily race in life has again been run.

I have worked hard to raise my children,
to protect them from harm and any sin.
Tying so hard to provide their every need,
teach them to avoid such things as greed.
One by one each has grown and gone away,
leaving me all alone at the end of the day.
So I close my eyes until the morning sun,
my daily race in life has again been run.

I have lived in honor and kept my small pride
I know I am a good man, still here deep inside.
kept to my principals never casting them aside,
used them all the time as my trade I have plied.
None will ever say that I gave up or have not tried
and I hope I am so remembered after I have died,
As I close my eyes never again to see the sun
my race in life being over and completely done.