THE LOUSY MINER

1. It's four long years since I reached this land
In search of gold among the rocks and sand,
And yet I'm poor, when the truth is told,
I'm a lousy miner, I'm a lousy miner
In search of shining gold.

2. I've lived on swine till I grunt and squeal,
No one can tell how my bowels feel
With flapjacks swimming round in grease...
When will my troubles cease?

3. I was covered with lice coming on the boat
I threw away my fancy swallow-tail coat
And now they crawl up and down my back...
A pile is all I lack.

4. My sweetheart vowed she'd wait for me,
Till I returned, now don't you see?
She's married now, so I am told, left her...
In search of shining gold.

5. O land of gold, you did me deceive,
And I intend you my bones to leave
So farewell home, now my friends grow cold...
In search of shining gold.

from Put's Golden Songster to Lomax, The Folk Songs of America:
set to the tune of "Dark Eyed Sailor".
@emigrate @mining @work
filename[ LOUSMINR
JB
mudcat.org

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