Miner, 49er, with dreams a pan away;
the glitter of hope shone
in his pathway each day.
In all weather he will huddle
with hopes of finding gold today.
Trusty burro, his companion,
packs a full load for bits of food.
Vittles dwindling, they’re both scrawny
but the quest, search, must be done.
He’s a two-bit 49er . . .
Daddy passed down his old pan.
But this miner has a nugget--
worth a fortune--that he found.

Miner, 49er, was content as he was
the glitter of hope shone
all along life's fair way.
With whom would he share riches?
Women saw him, turned up noses,
ornery critters were more thoughtful . . .
paid attention to what he’d say.
So he dropped that golden nugget
in the poor box as he went by.
The reward that he was wanting
could not be had here on this earth.
For himself, he wanted loving . . .
riches wouldn’t make it real.

Miner. 49er, chasing dreams of someday,
the glitter of hope sparked
waiting deep ... in his heart.