Let me tell you a tale of Faro Gulch, <br /> A rough, tough town long dead; <br /> But it was a town that was meaner than Hell <br /> When Nellie and I were wed. <br /> I made my first strike at Faro Gulch. <br /> 'Twas a hard and lonely life; <br /> And I thought, as I dug for the yellow gold, <br /> I must look for me a wife. <br /> I wanted a girl who'd be honest and true -- <br /> No dance hall girl for me! <br /> I dreamed of a girl with eyes of blue, <br /> Who had never been bold and free. <br /> Well, I found my Nellie the very next Spring -- <br /> We were married in Tennessee; <br /> And when I told my Bride about Faro Gulch, <br /> she said she would go there with me. <br /> she brightened our cabin with curtains and guilt's; <br /> A rag rug covered the floor. <br /> Geraniums bloomed at the window sills, <br /> and a wild rose grew by the door. <br /> She labored one night to bring me a son, <br /> But our baby died a borning; <br /> I buried my Boy in his Mother's arms, <br /> For Nellie was dead by morning. <br /> Then I rode away from my cabin and claim. <br /> What was there left to save? <br /> When all I'd hold dear for the rest of my life, <br /> I left in that lonely grave. <br /> There was never another like Nellie for me, <br /> Sweeter than milk and honey! <br /> The only girl in Far Gulch, <br /> Who wouldn't trade love for money.<br /><br />Anne Woods<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ballad/
