There came a drifter whose head was high 
Yet whose hidden heart was a stone. 
And ever and ever he sang his song 
And, Oh, but the song was lone! 
Ha! The Devil takes care of his own!" 
He sang, 
"And will while the Road holds clear 
So raise your head though your heart is dead, 
Carry On! And show no fear!"

The drifter stopped for a quiet while 
In the peace of a little town. 
He thought to rest from his memories 
And, he hoped to settle down. 
He sought surcease from the tilted sea 
And rest from the stark, bleak hill 
He tried to forget but he couldn't, yet 
For his visions came to chill.

The drifter laughed as the drifters do 
When the deeper heart throb came, 
Saying, "It's well to laugh when the soul is sick 
To weep were a strong man's shame!" 
Then a sweet dream came to his tired, tired eyes 
And a soft mouth brushed a kiss! 
He shouted strong, "My song was wrong! 
I ha' found Semiramis!"

A new light came to the drifter's eyes 
And a new warmth came in his smile - 
(Ah - it's good to laugh when the world is sweet 
It lasts so short awhile.) 
The drifter roared to the little Gods 
"By Your Beards! I ha' searched for this!" 
But the Gods knew best and they had their jest 
And he lost Semiramis!

There went a drifter whose head was high 
Yet whose hidden heart was a stone. 
And ever and ever he sang his song 
And, Oh, but this song was lone 
Ha! The Devil takes care of his own," 
He sang, 
"And will while the Road holds clear 
So raise your head though your heart is dead, 
Carry On! And show no fear!" 

         TenEyck Van Deusen