Album: Our Mother the Mountain

Tecumseh valley

by Townes Van Zandt

The name she gave was Caroline
daughter of a miner
her ways were free
it seemed to me
that sunshine walked beside her


She came from Spencer
across the hill
she said her pa had sent her
'cause the coal was low
and soon the snow
would turn the skies to winter


She said she'd come
to look for work
she was not seeking favors
and for a dime a day
and a place to stay
she'd turn those hands to labor


But the times were hard, Lord,
the jobs were few
all through Tecumseh valley
but she asked around
and a job she found
tending bar at Gypsy Sally's
She saved enough to get back home
when spring replaced the winter
but her dreams were denied
her pa had died
the word come down from Spencer


So she turned to whorin' out on the streets
with all the lust inside her
and it was many a man
returned again
to lay himself beside her


They found her down beneath the stairs
that led to Gypsy Sally's
in her hand when she died
was a note that cried
fare thee well... Tecumseh valley


The name she gave was Caroline
daughter of a miner
her ways were free
it seemed to me
that sunshine walked beside her