What a beautiful day it is here And how beautiful you look out there Just look great I packed up my bags Put in my favorite Levis Laid my mandolin beside the door I said to momma I won't be long Don't worry about me I'll be home before dark I'll be alright And you'll be fine without me I'll be home before dark Bought a ticket to New York city One way out and no return I watched the sun go down across the plains from Denver Lord, how the western sky can burn Met a boy in the darkness Handsome, tall and heartless Loved him like an eagle loves the wind Till I heard him say I won't be long Don't worry about me I'll be home before dark I'll be home I'll be alright And you'll be fine without me I'll be home before dark My daughter looks like him they say To me she looks like momma I see an eagle's shadow in her eyes Last night at her birthday We blew the candles out together I wonder will she take me by surprise When she says momma I won't be long Don't worry about me I'll be home before dark I'll be home I'll be alright And you'll be fine without me I'll be home before dark I'll be home before dark