Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains / Only the Hangman

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains / Only the Hangman
From: GUEST,Paul Hazell
Date: 02 Jul 18 - 12:28 PM

the song goes way back, as established at the start of this thread, and has been recorded by countless artistes. Best known as "Streets Of Laredo", the story of a dying cowboy, it was recorded under this title and as "Only The Hangman" and "I'm A Young Cowboy" by the legendary singing cowboy Rex Allen. His son, Rex Allen Jnr went on to become a major country star but always sang western songs as well, like his dad, including "Streets Of Laredo". Tex Ritter and Marty Robbins also recorded versions.

"Only the Heartaches" introduces the story of the hired gun and the gambling saloon, "Clancy's". It was a hit for the English country singer Houston Wells and the Marksmen who recorded it for the famous pop producer Joe Meek. It was later covered by the Karl Denver trio - a Scottish artiste - on their live LP "At The Yew Tree" - The Yew Tree was a famous pub and music venue. Irish vocalist Val Doonican also recorded the song but I believe only as a "B" side.

Houston Wells moved to Ireland for some years where he headed several showbands before moving to New Zealand where he "retired" from the music business. He did occasionally record at his son's studio and a few years back I had the pleasure of working with him to reissue many of his original cuts along with the unissued New Zealand cuts on a double CD for Jasmine records. The set is called "From Joe Meek To New Zealand". Houston told me that Meek often speeded up the master tapes before issue but did not add the intended backing, so for those tracks on the Jasmine set, Meek's son slowed them to the correct speed and added the elements of backing that had been intended back in the 60s. The original Meek mixes had already been issued on other labels but Houston preferred the Jasmine set because it reflected his true sound.


Only The Heartaches is included in the set but was not one of the tracks that Meek had speeded up, so you hear it as it was originally issued. Houston had done a lot of research into the song and was aware of its pedigree.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains / Only the Hangman
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 13 Jan 17 - 03:33 PM

I also remember a person called Robbie Retchell recorded this but I don't remember Carl Denver recording this either.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains / Only the Hangman
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 13 Jan 17 - 03:27 PM

I first heard this and it was the tune of Streets of Laredo. It was sung by Houston Welles and the Marksmen. They were the first to record this. If you're thinking of doing a whole recording of all the songs that were set to the tune of Laredo, I think that should be on there.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains / Only the Hangman
From: cptsnapper
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 06:08 AM

I seem to remember hearing this on Two Way Family Favourites during Sunday lunchtime before the Billy Cotton Band Show

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains / Only the Hangman
From: banjoman
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 05:11 AM

I think that Running Bear was recorded by Johnny Preston not Robert Horton??/

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains / Only the Hangman
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 05 Jun 12 - 05:06 PM

I am brushing up on the lyrics of this song as I am going on a trip which will probably end up in a sing-song. I am amazed at the variations of the lyrics and even the name of the song which I have always known as "There's Gold in the Mountains". I do remember Val Doonigan singing it but was always aware that it's origins went much further back.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains / Only the Hangman
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 09:12 PM

I met her at Clancys the cause of my trouble
a woman of beauty for all men to see
I gave her rye whiskey, she gave me a sixgun
said fools do the digging smart men work for me
chorus
theres gold in the mountains gold in the valley
gold in the river and gold in the sea
fortunes are waiting for men to claim them
but only the heartaches are waiting for me

She gave me her favours I gave her my sixgun
we cheated most all of the miners in town
and those who complained, that she dealt from the bottom
were challenged to draw and were quickly shot down
I'm so tired of fighting for love of this woman
the notches on my gun are twenty and three
so i'm leaving my lover the cause of my troubles
and only the heartaches are waiting for me

sing chorus again


hope this is of some help to you

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains / Only the Hangman
From: GUEST,Frank G
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 03:45 PM

Hi,

Since I was about 7 years old (40-years ago) I have had Houston Wells song in my head and could not find it anywhere. So thanks to all who contributed - I am a happy man tonight!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains / Only the Hangman
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 09:11 AM

We always used to call this Dad's decorating song, 'cause he used to sing it while he was decorating. Never knew where it came from. Thanks for reviving the memory.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains / Only the Hangman
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 06:59 PM

Rex Allen was a singing cowboy movie star like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. You can hear him sing the song here:
Only The Hangman

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains / Only the Hangman
From: GUEST,Keith G.
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 02:43 PM

Hi, thanks for finding out this song. My Dad used to sing this but we never knew what it was. We used to think he was singing GOLD IN THE ALLEY and so all my searches were fruitless. Thanks for Helping me solve a 45 year old mystery. It seems it was sung by REX ALLEN but I have never heard of him.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains / Only the Hangman
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 14 Jun 08 - 03:54 PM

A thing that I love about the Mudcat is how these old threads keep comming back to life.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains / Only the Hangman
From: GUEST,mike5115
Date: 14 Jun 08 - 03:20 PM

This is a great song and the first time I heared it it was sung by Marty Robbins.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,Harry
Date: 16 Sep 07 - 05:09 AM

Ther's only one version I know of "only the heartaches" and that's Val Doonigans.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 01:59 AM

Hey there Muttley! I've been off line for a while, so this is a timely return! Apologies if I have had some good folks diggin' around for lyrics---I found what I was looking for a while back under "Only the Hangman".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: Muttley
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 02:51 AM

Dear Boab - sent a PM - but just in case it's the wrong person I'll repeat the message below.

Can't say I've heard this one sung (or even heard of it - period) However, there is a great Australian song called "Gold In The Ground" I can send you the lyrics and chords for if you wish.

Muttley

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,Richard
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 09:16 PM

I can assure you all that it was definitely Houston Wells that recorded
"Only The Heartaches" and had a hit with it in 1963, as i know him :-)

More info at:
http://www.geocities.com/legendaryhoustonwells/
http://www.myspace.com/houstonwellscountry

Houston has new material being released soon, if you like the 60s material then this new stuff is to die for.

cheers
Richard

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 31 Jul 07 - 12:47 PM

haven't played this Oldie in awhile...

SINGS AND TELLS TALES OF THE GOLDEN WEST Mercury SR-60752 1962

Don't Go Near The Indians(4/17), Johnny Travers, Tongue Tied Smith, Only The Hangman, East Bound Train, My Mother Was A Lady, Barefoot Country Boy, Last Letter, Ten Years, Goodnight Mrs Jones, Letter Edged In Black, Reflex Reaction.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 Jul 07 - 05:11 AM

Thank you Black Hawk. I was going to say that Val Doonican used this as one of his "Rocking chair/Fair Isle knit" songs and was probably the most popular version. Maybe the "Grampian" crowd missed that one.
Cheers!
Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,lbs13
Date: 30 Jul 07 - 07:28 PM

I found this version with a little history on the recording artist - The Marksmen at . . .
www.soundclick.com / or more to the point I Googled - "only the hearthaches are waiting for me" and that's how I found you guys also. :) Keep it up Y'all. I'll be singing Come Back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff in a few days, - in Ballyjamesduff.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 04:25 PM

Val Doonican had a huge hit record with 'Walk Tall' in the early '60s.

My mother had heard Val sing 'Gold in the Mountains' & knew I liked it so tried to buy it for me as a surprise. No record shop had heard of it so she bought 'Walk Tall' instead.

She didn't realise that 'Only the Heartaches' was the 'B' side and was the song she had been looking for.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,Rosemary Garnet
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 02:45 PM

This song was sung by Val Doonican in England in the 60's.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,a3dvm
Date: 27 May 07 - 03:25 PM

p.s. It was Houston Wells (with the Marksmen)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,A3dvm
Date: 27 May 07 - 03:22 PM

I found it on http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=464468&songID=3313849
It's downloads as an .asf file. You can play it K-Lite codecs (free)
Any one have chords or a tab for this please?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 25 May 07 - 08:26 PM

I downloaded it from LIMEWIRE sung by Karl Denver called 'only the heartaches'
Karl Denver and Houston Wells despite sounding American are actually both British

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,Ryan
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 08:50 AM

Hello

Does anyone know where or if I could download this anywhere. My Dad has sung it for years and being Scottish, we love our parties at New Year and he has sung it for as long as I can remember, would be great if I could get it for him.

Many Thank in advance.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 11:35 AM

no I think it may have been Houston Wells, although that's not the name that jumps up and bites me in the bum.

Johnny Horton was relatively well known (Running Bear, North to Alaska, nobody had heard his version of Battle of New Orleans, but we knew he'd had the American hit). It wasn't him.

The kind of music, you'd hang round the waltzers at the fair, long after your money had run out - just to hear it really LOUD!

now thats what I call folk music.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: Snuffy
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 09:21 AM

Not Johnny Horton was it, wld, had the minor UK hit?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,a3dvm
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 05:51 AM

Hi All

Been looking for this for years!
Does anyone know the whereabouts of guitar tab for this song please?

Den

Subject: Lyr Add: GOLD IN THE MOUNTAINS
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Apr 06 - 10:38 AM

Full lyric:

CHORUS

There's gold in the mountains, gold in the valley
Gold in the rivers and gold in the sea
Fortunes are waiting for men to claim them
But only the heartaches are waiting for me

I left my hometown one warm summer's evening
Went down to the station to catch me a train
Went west to Missouri then into Wyoming
And down to Tallahassee to stake a gold claim

I met her at Clancy's, the cause of my troubles
A woman with beauty for all men to see
She fed me rye whiskey and gave me a six gun
Said the fools do the diggin', smart men work for me.

CHORUS

She gave me her favors; I gave her my six-gun
We cheated most all of the miners in town
And those that complained that she dealt from the bottom,
I challenged to draw and I quickly shot down.

I'm tired of killing for love of this woman
The notches on my gun are twenty and three
And though my heart's grievin', this woman I'm leavin'
'Cause only the heartaches are waiting for me.

CHORUS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,Pete
Date: 30 Nov 05 - 05:28 PM

Also a version called "Only the Hangman" by Rex Allen ~1963

Pete (not related) Allen

Subject: RE: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,charles mays
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 12:25 AM

only time i ever heard this song was by Bobbie Sykes who sung with Marty Robbins band.
I heard it about 1962 being played on local radio station.

Subject: RE: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 03:26 AM

I'm no great fan of the Alexander Brothers [music-hall Scotland], but I remember Tom Alexander doing a good job on it.

Subject: RE: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: fat B****rd
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 03:00 PM

Houston Wells and The Marksmen. Proper group name.

Subject: RE: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 07:45 AM

In England it was only the heartaches and Val Doonican used to do it - it charted with an American artist whose name escapes me got about number 17

as you say - nice song

Subject: RE: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,Chris Emmett
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 05:43 AM

Gold in the Mountains second, third and forth verses:

I met her at Clancy's, the cause of my troubles
A woman with beauty for all men to see
She fed me rhye whiskey and gave me a six gun
Said the fools do the diggin', smart men work for me.

She gave me her favours; I gave her my sixgun
We cheated most every miner in town
And those that complained that she dealt from the bottom,
I challenged to draw and I quickly shot down.

I'm tired of killing for love of this woman
The notches on my gun are twenty and three
And though my heart's grievin', this woman I'm leavin'
'Cause only the heartaches are waiting for me.

Still seems a bit short - does anyone know any more?

Subject: RE: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 14 Dec 03 - 01:56 AM

Hank Locklin had a hit with it, if I'm not mistaken.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 14 Dec 03 - 01:31 AM

You're welcome , Boab!
It is a great song!
       Sandy

Subject: RE: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 14 Dec 03 - 12:33 AM

Thanks to all---Sandy in particular!

Subject: RE: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,old head
Date: 13 Dec 03 - 03:52 PM

Copyrighted 1960 under the title ONLY THE HEARTACHES by Wayne P Walker. Additional words by Jess Edwins and Terry Kennedy. The original was called THE UNFORTUNATE RAKE, a bawdy ballad I believe from or about Dublin and a soldier who dies from a social disease. Very old. ST. JAMES INFIRMARY BLUES/STREETS OF LAREDO/ONLY THE HANGMAN, etc., are all based on it. I have a copy of the above sheet music for piano & guitar if anyone is interested. Bye.

Subject: Lyr Add: ONLY THE HANGMAN
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 13 Dec 03 - 11:00 AM

ONLY THE HANGMAN

I left my hometown one warm summer evening,
Went down to the station to catch me a train,
Rode west through Missouri and into Wyoming,
Headed out to California to stake a gold claim.

I met her at Clancy’s, the cause of my trouble:
A woman with beauty for all men to see.
She fed me rye whisky and gave me a six-gun.
Said, “The fools do the digging; smart men work for me.”

There's gold in the mountain, gold in the valley,
Gold in the river and gold in the sea.
Fortunes are waiting for men to find them,
But only the hangman is waiting for me.

She gave me her favors. I gave her my six-gun.
We cheated most all of the miners in town.
Those who complained that she dealt from the bottom
Were challenged to draw and were quickly shot down.

I'm so tired of killing for love of this woman.
The notches on my gun are twenty and three.
The next one I kill will be my scarlet lover,
And that's why the hangman is waiting for me.

There's gold in the mountain, gold in the valley,
Gold in the river and gold in the sea.
Fortunes are waiting for men to find them,
But only the hangman is waiting for me.

(As sung by Al Terry. Air: Streets of Laredo)

Subject: Gold in the Mountains --not Presley
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 13 Dec 03 - 02:46 AM

Iam in process of trying to find lyrics to a song called "Gold in the Mountains". Not the song of that name sung by Presley.It was sung many years back by one of the Alexander brothers of Scottish music-hall fame.The tune is very similar to "Streets of Laredo"

"I left my home town one warm summer evening,
Went down to the station to catch ma a train,
Headed west thro' Missouri and into Wyoming
And out to California to stake a gold claim.."

I know more of the lyrics, but not all. Can any catter help??