C Em F A long way it is from Montana C D7 G7 To west Texas whether by hoof or by rail C Em F A long way it is from Alzada C G7 C To innocence lost somewhere out on the trail Em F My heart is lonesome and longing C D7 G7 My comrades are gone on the first morning train C Em F And my heart hears a boyhood hymn calling C G7 C From a church down the valley comes this old refrain C F C Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling Am D7 G7 Calling for you and for me C F C See on the portals He's waiting and watching F C G7 C Watching for you and for me Em F Too many autumns I've watched 'em C D7 G7 Board trains with their plunder all headed for home C Em F And too many autumns I've stayed here C G7 C To snap out the new ones 'fore winter comes on Em F And I wonder who's waiting for them C D7 G7 A sweetheart a lover a young wife with babe C Em F But I know who's waiting for me C G7 C A mother and father who's hair has turned to gray G7 C Am Come home come home D7 G7 Wanderin' cowboy come home C F C Earnestly tenderly I hear them calling Am F C G7 C My son it's time to come home Em F I've lingered long in this country C D7 G7 From high thunder basin to where rim lands start C Em F And I've lingered too long a sinner C G7 C It's time that I pack up and follow my heart Em F A long way it is from Alzada C D7 G7 To a little sod house on the west Texas plains C Em F A long way it is from Montana C G7 C But I'm going home on the next southbound train Em F C A long way it is from Montana