I Wish I Was Only Working Lyrics & Chords By Butch Hancock

I was spending my time in West Texas
Hired on as a tractor hand
Out where the Yellow House Canyon
Is just a low place in the land
I was watching the king cotton harvest
With tractors and trailers and tears
And I was watchin' the four seasons changing
Through days, weeks, months and years

Well I been here before I been thinkin'
And I'll be here again I guess
But I can be gone, and will before long
And might even leave you no mailing address
But I know you say you can reach me
You always have here before
But that was then, and tomorrow is when
You'll be tracing my tracks out your door

Now I wish I was only workin'
But you know I got tricks up my sleeve
I got time on my hands, and I was making up plans
Most people would never believe

Well my pals all seem to be changing
And I thought that some never would
But it's uncertain people that stay the same
Certain folks darlin' just never should
Cold weather came early this winter
How long it will last I can't say
But I guess it'll end some summer day when
You'll be tracing my tracks down the way

Now I wish I was only workin'
But you know I got tricks up my sleeve
I got time on my hands, and I was making up plans
Most people would never believe

For instance, I might sail the ocean
Or I might swim a wild raging stream
And I might wind up dead, but I heard it said
Get out of the kitchen if you can't stand the steam
So I'm standing as much as I'm able
And I'll take one last look and I'll leave
And if it goes like it seems
You can bet your sweet dreams
You'll be tracing my tracks in your sleeve

But who knows, I might build me a mansion
Or I might live on cornbread and beans
And I'll live in a tent if it makes any sense
But you won't catch me living above my means
What I mean is I don't need me no mansion
But don't you take that for some sort of sign
Cause if you're following me
You just might as well be
Tracing some tracks that ain't mine

Now I wish I was only workin'
But you know I got tricks up my sleeve
I got time on my hands, and I was making up plans
Most people would never believe