Song Description

a cautionary tale, with harmonica

Lyrics

NEVER TRUST A BANDIT WITH YOUR HEART OF GOLD

Daughter dear daughter you'll soon be sixteen
Now let the truth be told
Your father did not die in a war overseas
Never trust a bandit with your heart of gold

I first saw his face one damp summer night
in the tent of a traveling show
His voice like an angel, his robe so white
Never trust a bandit with your heart of gold

They took up an offering, he passed me the plate
He whispered now don't you run home
I lied to my mother that I wanted to pray
Never trust a bandit with your heart of gold

He took hold my hand, led me outside
Held me close in the cold
Asked if I believed in love at first sight
Never trust a bandit with your heart of gold

He said he was tired of the traveling life
He wanted a church of his own
Gaze down from the pulpit at me his good wife
Never trust a bandit with your heart of gold

We rapped on the door of the preacher's trailer
Told him we were betrothed
He'd marry us on Sunday down by the river
Never trust a bandit with your heart of gold

I crept to his bunk each night that week
His hands was soft 'neath my clothes
I know we should have waited but the flesh was weak
Never trust a bandit with your heart of gold

Come Sabbath I donned my prettiest dress
Wove a garland of ribbon and rose
The preacher and the choir said I was so blessed
Never trust a bandit with your heart of gold

Three o'clock came and three o'clock went
My true love never showed
He took the preacher's safe and was never seen again
Never trust a bandit with your heart of gold

Daughter dear daughter, I was not quite sixteen
When these sad events did unfold
You're the only treasure that devil left me
Never trust a bandit with your heart of gold