(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.]