Gambling for Gold, Lyric Variant 02

This item is part of the I. G. Greer Folksong Collection which consists of more than 300 individual song titles and their variants as collected by Isaac Garfield Greer (1881-1967) from informants, primarily in Ashe, Wilkes and Watauga counties. The collection includes manuscripts, typescript transcriptions produced by Dr. Greer’s clerical staff, and handwritten musical notations. Songs range from traditional Child Ballads, traditional English and Scottish ballads as well as their American variants, to 19th century popular music to musical compositions of local origin.

Folk songs--United States

Gamblers--Songs and music

Mothers and sons--Songs and music

AC.113 Isaac Garfield (I.G.) Greer Papers and Recordings

W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection, Appalachian State University

Greer, I. G. (Isaac Garfield), 1881-1967

PDF

English

Text

Gambling for Gold

One year ago since my sunny haired darling
Left his old home to go out in the world.
When he had kissed his dear Mother and started,
I told him to never give honor for gold.

Chorus:
Gambling for gold,
Gambling for gold.
That's what my boy is doing, I'm told.
Breaking the heart of his old gray haired mother,
Yes, breaking and crushing for gold.

But a letter last week from a stranger,
Brought the sad news that must kill me, I'm sure.
For it said that my boy was a drunkard and gambler,
When I thought he was honest and pure.

I'll go tonight to that far distant city,
God, hear my prayers and help me find my boy.
I'll bring him back to the old Church yard yonder.
He'll again be my pride and my joy.

Dear Mothers, I beg, watch over your children,
Don't let them feel that your love can grow cold,
But teach them that gold is all worthless,
Lest they gamble their honor for gold.

113_GamblingForGold_Lyric_02_ocr