The Sensible Miner
Air: The Irish Immigrant's Lament 
Put's Golden Songster:
containing the largest and most popular collection of California songs ever published
by John A Stone
San Francisco : D.E. Appleton & Co., 1858
- I'm mining in a dry ravine,
That may not pay at all;
I've dug a long and fancy drain,
To sluice through in the fall;
But should the rain hold off till late,
And keep me in suspense,
I'll write a line and tell dear Kate,
My hide is on the fence.
- When I have filled my pockets with "rocks,"
I'll buy an easy life;
I'll buy an Allen pepper-box,
Likewise a bowie-knife.
No man shall rob my camp at night,
Not even he weighs a ton;
I'll show that miners are some on the fight,
And a "right smart chance" on the run.
- The money "I'm looking for!" troubles me now,
And unless I should build a balloon,
To send it safe home I've no idea how,
No more than the man in the moon.
'Twould never arrive should I send it by mail,
For they'd steal it and spend it for beer,
And sharpers would swindle me some way or fail,
So I think I'll enjoy it here.
- I've never done anything here I regret;
Hard work and I cannot agree;
Like other poor devils I'm hugely in debt;
But don't be alarmed about me-
My debts will outlaw, and then I shall be free
With the world, as I'll be when I quit;
Then dress and appear like a rich millionaire-
Like Brigham, "I'll git up and git."
Score from the Library Of Congress
Score from the Lester S Levy Collection
MIDI file of "Lament of the Irish Immigrant " (Used by permission of B. R. Tubb from his website at Public Domain Music)