Could have sworn I sent this in years ago. It's from the Phil Thomas collection and in his Songs of the Pacific Northwest. The places are along the US/Canada border in the Okanagan/Okanogan country. The Banks of the Similkameen It was one Sunday morning I bid Grand Forks adieu To beat my way to Oroville, a place that once I knew Over ties and railway crossings I beat my weary way Until I met a maiden at the close of one hot day. Well, good eve, good eve, fair maiden, my money does me no good If it hadn't a been for the coyotes, I'd a stayed out in the woods. You're welcome, welcome stranger, although our home is plain We never have turned a stranger out on the banks of the Similkameen. She took me to her mother's house and treated me quite well Her hair in dark brown ringlets about her shoulders fell I tried to paint her beauty but true it was in vain For perfect was the Orovoille girl on the banks of the Similkameen. I asked her to marry me, she said it ne'er could be She said she had a lover and he lived in BC She said she had a lover and true she would remain Until her came to claim her on the banks of the Similkameen. So adieu, adieu, fair maiden, I never shall see no more I'll never forget your kindness nor the cottage by the shore Adieu, adieu, fair maiden, we'll drink to the flowing stream We'll drink a health to the Oroville girl on the banks of the Similkameen.
|