Lyrics The Carter Family

The Carter Family

Forsaken Love

They stood in the moonlight beside the gate

Goodbye my darling I know you'll wait

He sees her weeping and smile through her tears

Saying I've been true love through these long years

For on tomorrow at the break of day

He was to journey far far away

He held her closer his promised bride

And to her questions these words replied

I've loved you always yes I've been true

My heart shall ever beloved for you

O darling believe me far over the sea

Through life or death so faithful I'll be

One year past by he's coming home

His pilgrimage over no longer to roam

And smiling he thinks of her shinning eyes

Shinning with welcoming glad surprise

A dandy letter he takes from his breast

To which his extended lips were pressed

And reading once more by the warming light

These words he had spoken to her that night

Once more he seeks the old garden gate

But he rides a land alas it's too late

The wedding is over the knot is tied

He finds his darling another's bride

And later they found him there on the grass

A pistol near by tells what had passed

A crop of letters that explained the deed

And in the pale moonlight these words did read