Across The Plains Of Illinois

Traditional, arranged by Molsky’s Mountain Drifters
Publisher: Dielectric Music
PRO: ASCAP
Vocals: Bruce Molsky, Stash Wyslouch
Guitar: Stash Wyslouch
Fiddle: Bruce Molsky
Banjo: Allison de Groot
Contact: Audrey Molsky (914) 489-9961
audrey@brucemolsky.com

There was a wealthy farmer in the countryside thereby
He had one only daughter, to win her I did try.

I asked if it made any difference if I should cross the plain
She said she'd never prove untrue until I returned again.

I left all in a hurry, for Missouri I was bound
I stepped off at Cairo to view the city around.

The work there it was plentiful, and the girls to me were kind
But the only object of my heart was the girl I'd left behind.

I got up early one morning, went out on public square
The mail boat it was arriving, and the newsboy he was there.

He handed to me a letter which give me to understand
The girl I'd left behind me had married another man.

I walked around and around and around. I didn't know what to do
I went over to Sikeston, and I found it all to be true.

Come all you handsome young gentlemen and listen to my song
I'm sure that if it does you no good it'll surely do you no harm.

Now if you're courting some pretty young miss, just marry her while you can
For if you travel across the plains, she'll marry another man.