Am   Em   F   C   F  Dm7  C    G

[Verse 1]
               C
I packed up my bags
F                   G
Put in my favourite Levi's
             C     F        G
Laid my mandolin beside the door
             Am
"Listen Mama


[Chorus]
           Em  F                C        F
I won't be long__, don't worry about me
        Dm7         C      Am
I'll be home before dark
          Em   F                       C       F
I'll be alright and you'll be fine without me
        Dm7         C        G
I'll be home before dark"


[Verse 2]
         C       F
Bought a ticket
            G
To New York City
        C       F    G
One way out and no return
              C
I watched the sun go down
 F                     G
Across the plains from Denver
              C       F       G      Bb
Lord, how the western sky can burn


[Bridge]
                 F
Met a boy in the darkness
Ab                 Eb
Handsome, tall and heartless
Cm                Bb              F
Loved him like an eagle loves the wind
                     Am
Till I heard him say


[Chorus:]
            Em  F                C        F
"I won't be long__, don't worry about me
        Dm7         C      Am
I'll be home before dark
          Em   F                       C       F
I'll be alright and you'll be fine without me
        Dm7         C
I'll be home before dark"


[Instrumental]
Am   Em   F   C   F  Dm7  C  (2x)


[Verse 3]
G                      C
My daughter looks like him they say
   F                 G
To me she looks like mama
               C      F      G
I see an eagle shadow in her eyes
                   C
Last night, on her birthday
            F             G
We blew the candles out together
                  C       F     G
I wonder will she take me by surprise
                     Am
When she says, "Mama


[Chorus]
           Em  F                C        F
I won't be long__, don't worry about me
        Dm7         C      Am
I'll be home before dark
          Em   F                       C       F
I'll be alright and you'll be fine without me
        Dm7         C        F
I'll be home before dark
        Dm7         C
I'll be home before dark"