St John The Gambler Lyrics - Our Mother The Mountain - Townes Van Zandt

When she had twenty years she turned to her mother 

Saying mother, I know that you'll grieve 

But I've given my soul to St. John the gambler 

Tomorrow comes time to leave 

For the hills cannot hold back my sorrow forever 

And dead men lie deep 'round the door 

The only salvation that's mine for the asking 

So mother, think on me no more 

An' winter held high 'round the mountains breast 

And the cold of a thousand snows 

Lay heaped upon the forests leaf 

But she dressed in calico 

For a gambler likes his women fancy 

Fancy she would be 

And the fire of her longing would keep 'way the cold 

And her dress was a sight to see 

But the road was long beneath the feet 

She followed her frozen breath 

In search of a certain St. John the gambler 

Stumbling to her death 

She heard his laughter right down from the mountains 

And danced with her mothers tears 

To a funeral drawn a calico 

'Neath the cross of twenty years 

To a funeral drawn a calico 

'Neath the cross of twenty years