TECUMSEH VALLEY
(Townes Van Zandt) (singer/composer, died in 97')

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

She came from Spencer, 'cross 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,
For a dime a day and a place to stay,
she'd turn those hands to labor.

But times were hard, and 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', 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,
and it seemed to me,
that sunshine walked beside her.

From his 1st album, titled "First Album", circa: mid-60's.