Sweet Beth Ann

She was my darling.

She was my own.

And this was where the seeds of

Our love was sewn.

On the beaches, along the sea

Is where my lover

Gave herself

Only to me.

I loved her purely.

My love was true

When the blossom

Of our love was new.

But my sweet one

My dear Beth Ann

Gave herself

To another man.

I saw her strolling 

In the fading light

With that wicked villain

Out in plain sight.

He had taken 

Beth Ann from me.

I had a plan

It was clear to see

Many nights I waited

Behind the dune.

Where we loved together

In early June.

But the winds of October

Blew off the coast

And I planned the death of

The one I loved the most.

I shot that wicked 

Evil man

And buried his body

Deep in the sand.

Then I forced my own love

My dear Beth Ann

Taking her roughly

By her gentle hand.

We were waist high

Out in the surf

And declared she would now receive

What her love was worth.

I kissed her harshly

On her traitorous lips

Then kicked her feet from beneath her

Watching her slip.

I held her under 

The angry waves

And fashioned for Beth Ann

A watery grave.

The tide then washed her

Far out to sea

And she was done

Making a fool of me.

Now I'm an old man

Sworn off romance.

I never married.

Never took the chance.

And I don't go

Down to the sea no more.

All I hear is

What she implored.

Please, my darling

Don't take my life.

I always intended

To be your wife.

You shot the reverend 

Writing our sacred vows.

Her death plea numbs me

Down the years, till now.