[Chorus]
Dig for the gold
dig for the gold
I'll be a rich man in China
before I grow old

Well I boarded a ship
it was only of wood
the bedding was lousy
and the food was no good
six companies met us
on Frisco's long pier
of three hundred started
only two hundred here

Well I walked to the hills
my fortune to find
of hardship and want
well I paid it no mind
but the jumpers were waiting
they wished us all dead
they took all our claims
and put lumps on our head

Well I headed for hangtown
the largest of camps
there was gambling and murder
by the light of their lamps
of the money I had
it was gone in a wink
for I spent it on women
and foul whiskey drink

Brandy Gulch was my next stop
and who should I meet
but a crazy old miner
they called one-eyed Pete
I picked up a six gun
and put down the spade
by robbin' and killing
our fortune was made

Vigilantes they caught us
at a place called Pig Hill
Old Pete with a hang noose
the miners did kill
they banged me and beat me
'til they thought I was dead
but I lived 'til the morning
and I ran off instead

Well I ran to the place
where we laid all our loot
I bought me sane new clothes
and a pair of new boots
took a trip back to China
on the next swelling tide
when they asked me about it
I turned and I lied

by "Charlie" Chin © 1982 Lop Chong Music BMI