The barkeep saw him coming, like a drowning man for water
\nWith a look that said he\u2019d been this way before<\/p>\n
He looked like he was searching for some thing he might have set down
\nAt a bar or at some all night liquor store.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He finished looking over at the ladies in the corner,
\nAnd found a stool and ordered up a drink.<\/p>\n
The barman knew a talker when one walked into\u00a0his barroom,
\nAnd he said, \u201cYou have a tale to tell, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger took a sip, and he reached into his pocket,
\nAnd set a golden Double Eagle on the wood.<\/p>\n
And he coughed behind his smile, and he ordered up another
\nAnd he looked up at the barkeep, \u201cListen good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI made a wager with a stranger at a crossroads down in Texas
\nThough my Papi would have said that was unwise<\/p>\n
He bet a shiny golden dollar against a simple drop of blood
\nThat I’d find myself a love that never lies<\/p>\n
Well I looked upon that dollar and I found I was quite thirsty
\nAnd that shiny piece of gold looked like a beer<\/p>\n
So he took a drop of blood and I took that golden dollar
\nAnd a million miles older, wound up here.<\/p>\n
Now I\u2019ll pay you for your kindness, with these mugs that runneth over,
\nWith this shiny golden dollar on the bar,\u00a0<\/p>\n
But I\u2019m telling you the truth, for I never was a liar,
\nThat damn coin never seems to travel far.<\/p>\n
You put it in your till \u2013 go ahead and do it now \u2013
\nAnd close it up and pour me one last brew.<\/p>\n
In the morning count your take, and I reckon that you\u2019ll find
\nThat gold piece nearer still to me than you.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s happened oft before, in every Texas dive,
\nIn every bar and beer hall where gold buys<\/p>\n
And I\u2019ve had a drink in each, and I\u2019ve looked around for love,
\nAnd I\u2019ve never found a love that never lies.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve never found that love, \u2018cause I finally figured out
\nThat once I find her, he will take my soul away.<\/p>\n
So I pour myself from here, and I pour myself to there
\nAnd I don\u2019t give many folks the time of day.<\/p>\n
A pretty maid will chat if she sees that golden dollar
\nBut they never seem to stay a second round<\/p>\n
And iffin that they should, and I almost had one offer,
\nI\u2019m careful not to come back through that town.<\/p>\n
So I\u2019ll thank you for your beer, and for hearing of my story,
\nAnd for pouring them so heavy and so fine<\/p>\n
But I\u2019m sure it\u2019s close to closing, and the evening is a hot one,
\nAnd you have your bed to find, and I have mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
And the barkeep said good night, and he wished the guy good morrow
\nAnd he thought about the tale he\u2019d heard all night.<\/p>\n
And just for shits and giggles, he opened up the teller
\nAnd he found out that the old grey coot was right.<\/p>\n
There was no golden dollar, in the till nor on the counter,
\nThough he was certain that he\u2019d put it there secure.<\/p>\n
So he shook his head in wonder, and he thought about the story,
\nAnd he wondered how the old man could be sure<\/p>\n
The barkeep\u00a0thought of searching for what he didn\u2019t want to find,
\nAnd if he\u2019d only look in smoky halls of beer<\/p>\n
And he realized what he\u2019d seen, as the fellow\u2019d turned to leaving
\nIn his eyes, what he had noticed was a tear.<\/p>\n
And he understood the horror of the crossroads bargain wager
\nAnd the lover with the coin who drunken lurched<\/p>\n
For as often as he told it, that he hoped he\u2019d never find her,
\nIt was plain enough to see, that still he searched.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The barkeep saw him coming, like a drowning man for water With a look that said he\u2019d been this way before He looked like he was searching for some thing…<\/p>\n