The Poor And Rambling Boy

The Poor And Rambling Boy - Jean Ritchie

Lyrics by：Jean Ritchie

Composed by：Jean Ritchie

It's I am a poor and a ramblin' boy

Though many of a show it's I have been

In Cumberland City I pay my way

And spend my money at the balls and play

In Cumberland City I married me a wife

Loved her as I loved my life

She treated me kind both night and day

Caused me to rob on the road highway

So my pretty little miss so fare you well

I love you so well no one can tell

If pleasure no more on earth I see

I wouldn't serve you as you're servin' me

I robbed them all I will declare

I robbed them all in deep despair

I robbed them all ten thousand pounds

That night when I was a-ramblin' around

So my pretty little miss sixteen years old

Hair just as yellow as the shinin' gold

Well the prettiest face the sweetest hands

God bless the ground on where she stands

Now my mother sits and weeps and mourns

Sister says she is left alone

My true love cries in deep despair

With her dark brown eyes and her curly curly hair

So I'm goin' far on yon to weep

Satisfied I cannot sleep

But I will write you a few short lines

Hard as death ten thousand times

It's I'll buy me a paper and I'll set down

I'll write a few lines to my Governor Brown

He received that letter and he read it awhile

He began to think on his woman and child

Then I'll get me some paper and I'll set down

Write another letter to my Governor Brown

And every word will be the truth

I'll ask that governor to turn me loose

Well I'll buy me a ticket to that foreign town

Get on the train and it's I'll set down

Well the wheels will roll and the whistles will moan

Take me a long time to get back home

Come young and old and stand around

See me laid in this cold ground

I'm not ashamed nor afraid to die

Hope to meet you by and by