Garnet Rogers - The Painted Pony lyrics

Draw close to me and hear my story Oh draw close and I will tell Of a young and faithful soldier And the girl he loved so well They met 'twas on a frosty morning In the autumn of the year They courted all that winter Until the winds of spring blew clear He brought her lily of the valley Fine silks and precious things Their love grew ever sweetly As the flowers bloom in spring They would roam the fields together Laughing breathless as they'd ride They pledged their love together Forever side by side One day there came to them a letter Her soldier boy was called away Her face grew as pale as the moonlight She knew not what to say She said 'oh love I am so fearful In some far off field you might die' He held her tightly and he kissed her He said 'I'm not afraid' but she knew he lied Then he smiled and he swung to his saddle He looked across the fields of green He said 'I will return love Though all hell should lie between' And I'll bring to you a painted pony And together love we will ride Across the flowered plains together Forever, side by side' 'Oh I don't need your painted pony I lack for nothing love' she cried 'Just come back to me darling Stay forever at my side' She stood silently then and watched him He touched his heels to his horse's side He cantered past the far horizon She turned and went inside One day while waiting at her window She felt a cloud obscure the sun Into her heart there came a stillness She knew her love was gone 'Hard fate hard fate' she cried in anguish Hard fate has come to me this day' She withdrew into her chamber Not another word would say One night while dreaming on her pillow She dreamt she heard her lover speak His soft kiss upon her forehead His warm hand upon her cheek She heard a tapping at her window At the tolling of the bell She raised her head, she saw him standing The dear one she loved so well 'Love how came you to my window? My heart told me you were dead' He smiled and said 'don't you remember? Don't you remember what I said?' He took her to the shadowed courtyard In the darkness she could hear The silver jingle of a bridle He touched her arm and drew her near 'I've brought to you a painted pony' He said and then the reins he untied 'Oh come leave these earthly sorrows Love, together we will ride' A saddle of the finest leather And a bridle strung with pearls They wheeled their horses close together Close together left this world They rode across the flowered prairie And the sun rose red above the hills They rested by a stand of willows Let the horses drink their fill Still they ride every night together When the evening star is bright The faithful soldier and his lover Guide their ponies through the starry night They ride together through the starfields Laughing breathless as they ride Chasing down the stars of heaven The faithful soldier and his bride