All of the river boat gamblers are losing their shirts
And all of the brave union soldier boys sleep in the dirt
But you know and I know, there never was reason to hurt
All of our lives were entwined to begin with,
Here in spoon river.
All of the calico dresses, the gingham and lace,
Are up in the attic with Grandfather's derringer case,
There's words whispered down in the hallway, a shadowy face,
The morning is heavy with one more beginning,
Here in spoon river.
Come to the dance, Mary Perkins, I like you right well,
The union's preserved, if you listen you'll hear all the bells,
There must be a heaven, the Lord knows that I've seen mostly hell,
My rig is outside, come and ride through the morning,
Here in spoon river.
All of the river boat gamblers are losing their shirts
And all of the brave union soldier boys sleep in the dirt
But you know and I know, there never was reason to hurt
All of our lives were entwined to begin with,
Here in spoon river.