Miriam Bell

He lain in the belly of the earth
he's sleeping in the corn dry leaves
He lain in the belly of the earth
with his head upon his sleeve

His sleeve is made of satiny silk
the color of a rich berry stain
His sleeve is made of satiny silk
and around his wrist he wears a pure gold chain

The chain wraps around three times
and from it hangs a silver ring
The chain wraps around three times
In the center of the ring
are the letters of her name

Miriam, Miriam Bell, run like fire girl
Miriam, Miriam Bell, down to the water's edge
Miriam, Miriam Bell, raised as a farmer's daughter
Miriam, Miriam Bell, slept in a rich man's bed

Around her face a linen cloak
her lips as red as blood
Around her face a linen cloak
with eyes a man could love

Her eyes were green and full of tears
as she lay the note on his breast
Her eyes were green and full of tears
as she lay the gun down where he rests

The gun she fixed in his own hand
and leaned to kiss his forehead
The gun she fixed in his own hand
and wiped her lips and fled

The only heir to the rich man's land
the note it named but one
The only heir to the rich man's land
was Miriam's new born son

Her son he grew both tall and rich
as handsame as his da
Her son he grew both tall and rich
and poor Miriam went mad

Chorus