Forsaken Love - Original - The Carter Family

They stood in the moonlight nearby the gate

Goodbye, my darling, I know you’ll wait

She ceased weeping and smiled through 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 never be, love, but for you

Oh, darling, believe me, far over the sea

Through life or death, still faithful I’ll be

One year passed by, he’s coming home

His pilgrimage over, no longer to roam

And smiling, he thinks of her shining eye

Shining with welcome, a glad surprise

A dainty letter he takes from his breast

To which his extended lips were pressed

And reading once more by the warming light

The words he had spoken to her that night

Once more he seeks the old garden gate

But he arrives, alas, 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 nearby, still holding fast

A crop of letters that explained the deed

And in the pale moonlight these words did read