Steve Earle

Tecumseh Valley

Steve Earle


The name she gave was Caroline 
The daughter of a miner 
And her ways were free and it seemed to me 
The sunshine walked beside her 

She come from Spencer 'coss the hill 
She said her Pa had sent her 
'Cause the coal was low and soon the snow 
Would tuwn the skies to winter 

Well she said she'd come to look for work 
She was not seeking favors 
For a dime a day and a place to stay 
She'd turn those hands to labor 

The times were hard Lord the jobs were few 
All through Tecumseh Valley 
But she asked around and a job she found 
Tending bar for Gypsy Sally 

She saved enough to get back home 
When spring replaced the winter 
But her dreams were denied her Pa had died 
The word came down from Spencer 

She turned to whorin' out on the streets 
With all the lust inside her 
It was many a man returned again 
To lay himself beside her 

Well they found her down beneath the stairs 
That led to Gypsy Sally's 
In her hand when she died 
Was a note that cried 
Fare thee well Tecumseh Valley