Story Behind The Song

The song is from a western musical 'Silvercreek' Written in the early 80s.

Song Description

The story of a dying gold rush town and the hanging-on folks still left there. Joya,a long time gunfighter, comes to town, waiting for someone to shoot him down. Instead he finds a home, becomes the Sheriff.

Lyrics

Joya
My name is Joya and I'm a miner -man never found my fortune 'cept with a gun in my hand.
I spent ten long years digging in the cold hard ground for fifty dollars from the gold dust I found.

I've got gold I've got a dead mans ring- I've got treasures and a reason to sing
Spent the last ten years digging in the hard cold ground for fifty dollars from the gold dust I found.

I remember a woman up in San Francisco - she was so pretty, she danced in the third show.
She told me she loved me but I don't really care-I liked the smell of her perfume and the color of her hair.

You've got gold- you got a dead mans ring. You've got troubles and a reason to sing.
Spent the last ten years digging in the hard cold ground- for fifty dollars from the gold dust you found.

The first man I killed -I was just seventeen. He looked like money and I wanted his 'Paloosa team.
I was so hungry and down on my luck, he drew first I shot him when I ducked.

You got gold- you got a dead man's ring- you got treasures and a reason to sing
Spent ten long years digging in the cold hard ground- for fifty dollars and the gunman's life you found.
You got gold -you got a dead man's ring- you got treasures and a reason to sing.
For ten years of digging in the cold hard ground- all for a gun that fires six rounds.

Hot damn ain't this a fine life I live- that's until someone shoots me down
Hot damn ain't this a fine life you live-that is until someone shoots you down.
(C)(P)1981 Ken Lehnig/Desert Windsong Publishing BMI