# I Want My Time explained — Songs of the Cattle Trail and Cow Camp

> Chapter companion for Songs of the Cattle Trail and Cow Camp by John A. Lomax.

## What happens

A night guard, alone and homesick, longs for his beloved and resolves to quit the round-up at dawn, asking for his time and tobacco from a fellow cowboy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Solitude and Reflection

The night guard's solitary vigil and introspection about his longing for his girl and his decision to quit.

### Love and Romance

The speaker's deep yearning for his beloved, driving his resolve to leave the round-up.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The night guard speaking in first person, expressing loneliness and desire to leave the round-up.

### Whiskey Bill

Addressed as 'Bill' in the final line, asked for tobacco.

## Key lines

> I’m night guard all alone tonight, Dead homesick, lonely, tired and blue; And none but you can make it right; My heart is hungry, Girl, for you.

As the sole night guard, I feel profoundly homesick, lonely, exhausted, and sad; only you can ease this pain, my love, for I yearn for you.

_The narrator expresses his emotional state and longing for his beloved._

> Give me my time, then, I am done. No, I’m not sick. Three weeks? Oh gee!

Just pay me what I'm owed, because I'm quitting. No, I'm not ill. Three more weeks? That's too long!

_The narrator insists on leaving the round-up, rejecting the boss's suggestion of a longer stay._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/songs_of_the_cattle_trail_and_cow_camp_se/chapters/i-want-my-time
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/songs_of_the_cattle_trail_and_cow_camp_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/songs_of_the_cattle_trail_and_cow_camp_se/chapters