Gold Watch & Chain
The patriarch of the legendary Carter Family, A.P. Carter (1891-1960), has always, in the fifty years that I have known this irresistible classic,
 been credited with its composition. But, after doing some 'looking into it', it seems that A.P. did NOT, after all, write it!
 It only seems certain that The Carter Family made the first popular recording of it (in 1933). And though I haven't been able to pin this down (surprising, considering how many times this piece has been recorded...by everyone and his mother-in-law), it seems likely that it was actually written by the prolific,
 if obscure, Thomas P. Westendorf (1848-1923), whose (other) best known song (he wrote at least two hundred fifty) is
 'I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen' (a maudlin piece...with a sweet melody...to a dying spouse).

Ruth Johnson, background vocals, 7-29-06

Re-mixed and re-posted on 5/2/10

How can I stay here without you
With nothing to cheer my poor heart
This old world will seem sad, love, without you
Tell me now that we'll not have to part

I will pawn you my gold watch and chain, love
I will pawn you my gold wedding ring
Anything that you want I will give you
Only say that you love me again

Take back all those gifts you have given
Take this ring and this lock of your hair
Take this card with your picture upon it
It's a face that is false, but so fair

Oh, the white rose that blooms in the garden
It grows with the love of my heart
It broke through on the day that I met you
It will die on the day that we part