(c.w. mccall, bill fries, chip davis)



[the sound of a lonely harmonica.]



The dance hall is silent and empty

The banjos don't play anymore

The music is only a mem'ry

And the dancing is dust on the floor



Wild flowers cover the ground now

The timbers are streaking with gray

The palace is tumblin' down now

And the dancers have all gone away



[chorus]

Once there was singing

And once there was song

And once there was silver and gold (silver and gold)



The tombstones are weathered and broken

But the last signs of life are still here

The labors of love have been stolen

But the gold was the last souvenir



[chorus]

Once there was laughter

And once there was life

And once there was silver and gold (silver and gold)



The dance hall is silent and empty

The banjos don't play anymore...



[fade out to the playing of "oh, susanna" on the banjo.]