Sand

«They faced it, those men of the West:
The mountains, the prairies, the rivers.
Here’s the story of a prospect to man up
With the worst of them all — the desert.»
When I began my search for gold
I stopped to have my fortune told.
Silently her fingers traced my hand.
I said «What will my future be?»
The only word she said to me, was «Sand».
I laughed at her and traveled on,
Until one day I stood upon
The border of a godforsaken land.
I knew those hills had gold to fetch
Just across that little stretch of sand.
Darling, just wait a little longer
I’ll soon be by your side again
I’m almost at the rainbow’s end
My burro died two days ago
My water is gone, my step is slow
It’s still so far to where the mountains stand.
Not another living soul,
Just a poison waterhole and sand
It’s getting mighty hot I see
The desert is playing tricks on me
Is that my darling holding out her hand?
My arms reach out, my fingers clutch,
But Lord above me, all I touch is sand.
Good bye darling, wait for me no longer,
My mortal strength is gone at last
The spark of life is fading fast.
Fortune waits for other men,
But for me the rainbow’s end is sand.
Endless burning sand