I guess you think you broke my heart,
But I don't mind that we're apart;
As sure as there's another dawn,
You can bet that I will be a long time gone.
For every time you lied to me,
I told myself that this can't be;
I know I was completely wrong,
You can bet that I will be a long time gone.
My mind's been on you day and night,
But now I finally saw the light;
I'm gonna tell you now so long,
You can bet that I will be a long time gone.
Today I saw a mourning dove,
And he was searching for his love;
I'm sorry that he's all alone,
But for me I'm glad I'll be a long time gone.
But for me I'm glad I'll be a long time gone.
####.... Dave Dudley and Dick Marrison, Southern Arts Music, Nashville, Tennessee ....####
Originally recorded by Dave Dudley (David Darwin Pedruska) [1928-2003] of Spencer, Stevens Point and Danbury, Wisconsin (Truck Drivin' Son-Of-A-Gun, trk#8, 1965, Mercury Records); and (Greatest Hits, trk#2, 1965, Mercury Records); and (Free And Easy, Trk#1, 1966, Mercury Records).
The YouTube video above features a recording of the above variant by Dick Nolan (Moving Out, trk#3, 1966 LP, Arc Sound Ltd, Toronto, Ontario).