GATHERIN' FLARES (FLOWERS)
(by A.P.Carter; learned at Teton Tea Parties;."flowers is pronounced "flares" with a strong Southern accent)
I been gatherin' flares from the hillside,
I know you have seen trouble,
It was on one bright June morning,
Closed eyes cannot see these roses,
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)
To wreathe around your brow
But you kept me waitin' so long, dear,
That the flares are all withered now.
But never hang down your head,
Your love for me is like the flowers
Your love for me is dead.
I been gatherin' flares...
The roses were in bloom,
I shot and killed my darlin',
Oh what will be my doom?
I been gatherin' flares...
Closed hands cannot hold them now,
And these lips that are still cannot kiss me,
They've gone from me forevermore.
I been gatherin' flares...