Golden Lockets
'Neath the spreading magnolia
In the Tennessee hills
Two young lovers talking
As young lovers will
They exchanged golden lockets
For his orders had come
To ride to the west
With the cavalry's best
And the beating of drums
"Oh my roamer and dreamer...
Is this what you must do?
To make war on the Natives...
...who's done no harm to you?"
"My duty is clear, love."
He replied with a sigh
"But your locket of gold...
I will treasure and hold."
And they kissed one last time
Two columns of riders
And a short mulе-drawn train
Specks on the horizon
On that broad westеrn plain
Set on by Comanches
By a bright river side
Till that river ran red
With the blood of the dead
And the dying who cried
"Yes captain, I'm dying..."
He whispered in pain
Handing over his locket
On that wild bloody plain
"Take this back to my one love...
Back in old Tennessee...
Where she waits for me there...
With a flower in her hair...
'Neath a magnolia tree."
