St John The Gambler

By townes van zandt



When she had twenty years she turned to her mother

Saying mother, i know that you'll grieve

But i've given my soul to st john the gambler

Tomorrow comes time leave

For the hills cannot hold back my sorrow forever

And dead men lay deep 'round the door

The only salvation thats mine for the asking

So mother, think on me no more





Winter held high round the mountains breast

And the cold of a thousand snows

Lay heaped upon the forests leaf

But she dressed in calico

For a gambler likes his women fancy

Fancy she would be

And the fire of her longing would keep way the cold

And her dress was a sight to see





But the road was long beneath the feet

She followed her frozen breath

In search of a certain st john the gambler

Stumbling to her death

She heard his laughter right down from the mountains

And danced with her mothers tears

To a funeral drawn a calico

'neath the cross of twenty years





To a funeral drawn a calico

'neath the cross of twenty years






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