It's My Time
Jimmie Rodgers Lyrics


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I will go to the gallows at sunrise
They say I am going to hang
Through the opening will fall my young body
On the end of a rope I will swing

My pals have all died on the gallows
And I am awaiting my time
If you wander astray in the struggle
Your life will be wasted like mine

I think of my heartbroken mother
Her pleadings have all been in vain

She suffered to rear me from childhood
And now I'm her sorrow and shame
Young man don't sin to you sorrow
Don't shadow your dear mothers name
My pals have all gone on before me
And I am a lad left in pain

No more will the boys gather round me
The pals that I love have gone on
I will die when the new day is dawning
To pay for the deeds I've done wrong

Along I will die on the gallows
Alone I will cross the divide
But bury me there by my sweetheart
To sleep through the years by her side

Dear mother oh soon I'll be going
Oh mother I'll go with the dawn
The bright stars are now dimmer growing
Dear mother my time won't be long

Oh mother I know how you love me
But mother I'm going to hang




My pals have all gone on before me
I guess I have played my last game

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jimmie Rodgers's song "My Time Ain't Long" depict the lamentations of a condemned man who is awaiting his imminent execution on the gallows. The singer acknowledges his impending fate and acknowledges that all his companions have perished in the same way. He warns against straying from the righteous path, as it leads to a wasted life, just like his own.


The song also reflects on the heartbreak of the singer's mother, who had fervently pleaded for his redemption but in vain. He acknowledges the sacrifices she made to raise him, only to now be burdened with the sorrow and shame of his actions. The lyrics express the remorse and regret the singer feels, as he realizes the irreversible consequences of his choices.


The song highlights the isolation the singer feels, as he contemplates his impending death. He mentions that his friends, his "pals," have all preceded him in death, leaving him alone and in pain. The lyrics convey a sense of resignation, as the singer awaits his fate and prepares to face the consequences of the deeds he has done wrong.


Line by Line Meaning

I will go to the gallows at sunrise
I am destined to be executed at sunrise


They say I am going to hang
It is widely known that I will be hanged


Through the opening will fall my young body
My lifeless body will drop through the gallows opening


On the end of a rope I will swing
I will be suspended by the neck from a rope, swinging back and forth


My pals have all died on the gallows
All of my friends have been executed in the same manner


And I am awaiting my time
I am patiently waiting for my turn to face the same fate


If you wander astray in the struggle
If you deviate from the righteous path in life's challenges


Your life will be wasted like mine
Your life will end up being futile and ruined, just like mine


I think of my heartbroken mother
I reflect upon my sorrowful, devastated mother


Her pleadings have all been in vain
All her supplications and appeals have been fruitless


She suffered to rear me from childhood
She endured hardships to raise and nurture me since childhood


And now I'm her sorrow and shame
And now, I am the cause of her sadness and disgrace


Young man don't sin to you sorrow
Young man, refrain from sinning, so you won't experience this grief


Don't shadow your dear mother's name
Don't tarnish the reputation and honor of your beloved mother


My pals have all gone on before me
All of my friends have preceded me in death


And I am a lad left in pain
I am a young man left behind, filled with anguish


No more will the boys gather round me
The companionship of my friends is no longer available to me


The pals that I love have gone on
The dear friends whom I cherished are no longer alive


I will die when the new day is dawning
I will meet my end as the new day begins to emerge


To pay for the deeds I've done wrong
To face the consequences and atone for my past misdeeds


Along I will die on the gallows
I will die alone, hanging from the gallows


Alone I will cross the divide
I will traverse the boundary between life and death by myself


But bury me there by my sweetheart
However, please lay me to rest beside my beloved partner


To sleep through the years by her side
So I can peacefully rest next to her for the remaining years


Dear mother oh soon I'll be going
Oh dear mother, soon I will depart from this world


Oh mother I'll go with the dawn
Oh mother, I will pass away when the dawn arrives


The bright stars are now dimmer growing
The once brilliant stars are fading and losing their shine


Dear mother my time won't be long
Beloved mother, my remaining time is fleeting


Oh mother I know how you love me
Oh mother, I am aware of your deep affection for me


But mother I'm going to hang
However, mother, I will face the punishment of hanging


My pals have all gone on before me
All of my friends have preceded me in death


I guess I have played my last game
I suppose I have reached the end of my journey or life




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