Book of Song

Girl I Left Behind, The

by trad

There [Am] was a [G] wealthy [F] farmer [C]
That lived [Em] in a county nigh [Am].
He [Am] had a [G] lovely [F] daugh [C] ter,
On whom I [Em] cast my [Am] eye.
She [Am] was so [G] young and [F] slen- [C] der
So delicate [Em] and fair [Am].
There [Am] wasn't a [G] girl in the [F] county [C]
With [G/Em] her that could [Am] compare.

Am G F C Em Am

I asked her if she'd be willing
To let me cross over the plains.
She said it would be alright with her
Just so I'd return again.
She said that she'd be true to me
Till death would be unkind.
We kissed, shook hands, and parted.
I left my girl behind.

Out in a western city, boys,
A town you all know well,
Where everyone was friendly,
They'd show me all around.
The work an' money was plentyful,
And the girls to me were kind.
But the only girl I thought about
Was the girl I'd left behind.

One day when I was ramblin' 'round
Down by the public square,
The mail coach it came rollin' in,
And I met the bearer there.
He handed me a letter, and gave me to understand
That the girl I left in Texas
had married another man.

I turned myself all around and around
Not knowing what else to do.
I rode down a little pace further,
Just to see if these words were true.
It's drinkin' I throw over,
Card playin' I'll resign,
For the only girl I ever did love
Was the girl I left behind.

Come around, you ramblin' gamblin' men,
And listen while I tell.
If it does to you no good, kind friends,
I'm a-sure it will do you no harm.
If you ever find you a fair young maid,
Just marry her while you can.
For if you ever cross over the plain,
she'll marry another man.