this ole world is a funny ole place we re always running from place to place you work and slave to try to ease your mind the very things you strive for you gotta leave behind what i know so far near as i can tell heaven s here on earth and the soul is it just the air we re given and the stars above you can measure your riches by the ones you love when i say goodbye you can bet i m gone when a lonesome freight train whistle blows its weary song when i see the light of a brand new dawn when i say goodbye you can bet i m gone when i die don t toll no bells just put my ashes in some shotgun shells get all of my friends some windy day to say goodbye and watch me blow away when the wind dies down and the day gets late i ll be all scattered all over the state and you know which state i m talking about the place i love and can t live without when i say goodbye you can bet i m gone when a lonesome freight train whistle blows its weary song when i see the light of a brand new dawn when i say goodbye you can bet i m gone when i say goodbye you can bet i m gone