Eli the Barrow Boy

Eli the barrow boy, in the old town
Sells coal and marigolds
And he cries out all down the day.

Below the tamarack, he is crying,
"Corncobs and candlewax for the buying,"
All down the day.

Would I could afford to buy my love a fine robe
Made of gold and silk Arabian thread.
She is dead and gone and lying in a pine grove
And I must push my barrow all the day,
I must push my barrow all the day.

Eli the barrow boy when they found him
Dressed all in corduroy, he had drowned in
The river down the way.

They laid his body down in a church yard
But still when the moon is out with his push cart
He hauls down the day...

Would I could afford to buy my love a fine gown
Made of gold and silk Arabian thread.
But I am dead and gone and lying in a church ground,
Still I push my barrow all the day,
Still I push my barrow all the day.

--The Decemberists.