The Ballad Of Weaverville

The Ballad of Weaverville performed by Kate Wolf written by Jim Ringer & Mary McCaslin First Verse Well, I'll tell you 'bout a gambler, folks, Jim Weaver was his name; And I don't know where he came from, But gamblin' was his trade. Ride in here close beside me, I'll tell you about a game, The damnedest game in all my years I ever did see played. Second Verse Some said they'd seen him play before Down on the Barb'ry Coast. He said that might be true enough 'Cause he'd gambled all around; And he lost his stake to a jack high straight Out at Sutter's Fort, But he'd saved a little poke in case Of a game within our town. Refrain And a lady loves a gambler, Running loose, running free; I felt a tremble deep inside When I turned around to see, He was lookin' hard at me. Third Verse Now the game was set in daddy's tent, An honest man, you know, And all the boys in town were set To take Jim Weaver's gold 'Cause diggin' gold is hard work, And pannin' is too slow; And I saw Jim Weaver smilin' At some little private joke. Fourth Verse Well, by midnight he had all the gold That the boys in town had saved. They never caught him cheatin' Though they watched him all the while; And he never lost a single hand At any game he played; He never lost a dollar, boys, And he never lost his smile. Refrain And a lady loves a gambler, Smilin' free, smilin' wide; I knew I wouldn't rest 'Til I was smilin' by his side, Smilin' as we'd ride. Fifth Verse Soon all the boys were busted flat, But they wanted still to play. So they asked Jim Weaver what was left To gamble in the game. He said he'd cut high cards one time, And if he lost he'd pay; But if he won they had to swear To give the town his name. Sixth Verse And he told my daddy he would bet Ten dollars on the side, And I could be my daddy's stake If I would so agree. And I rode out of Weaverville Next mornin' as his bride; And I left the town that bears the name Of the gamblin' man and me. Refrain And a lady loves a gambler, If he cheats all the same; And no one saw me slip to him Tha ace that won the game! And gave the town our name!