THE GIRL I LOVED OUT IN THE GOLDEN WEST
(Charles Avril / C.H. Scoggins,   1903)


Twilight shadows come and go, 
In the evening's sunset glow,
And the birds are singing goodnight in the dell; 
And I hear the robin trill, 
In its nest beneath the hill, 
Singing melodies my sad heart knows so well, 
While I listen in the glow 
Of pale moon rising slow, 
I hear a voice of one I long best;
Tho' she left me long before, 
Yet I see her as of yore, 
The girl I loved out in the golden west.

Just like children running wild, 
For no care our world defiled,
And our laughter echoed load among the hills; 
And we rambled in the dell, 
Near the spot I loved so well, 
When I think of her my heart with sadness fills: 
For one day down by the brook, 
'Neath a cool and shady nook, 
She laid her golden head upon my breast; 
It was there her first sweet kiss 
Filled my raptured soul with bliss, 
The girl I loved out in the golden west.

Once again I feel the spell, 
But no words of mine can tell,
I can see her grave beneath the mountain crest; 
And I'm keeping green the place, 
Where tonight I see the face 
Of the girl I loved out in the golden west.