On top of Old Smoky,
All covered with snow,
I lost my true lover
A-courtin' too slow
|
A-courtin's a pleasure,
A-partin' is grief,
A false-hearted lover
Is worse than a thief.
|
A thief he will rob you
And take what you have,
But a false-hearted lover
Sends you to your grave.
|
They'll hug you and kiss you
And tell you more lies
Than the leaves on a willow
Or the stars in the skies.
|
My sad heart is aching,
I'm weary today;
My lover has left me,
I'm a-feelin' this way.
|
It's rainin', it's pourin',
The moon gives no light;
My horse he won't travel
This dark lonesome night.
|
I'm goin' away, dear,
I'll write you my mind;
My mind is to marry
And to leave you behind.
|
Come, all you young people,
And listen to me;
Don't place your affection
On a green willow tree.
|
Theleaves they will wither
The roots they will die;
You will be forsaken
And never know why.
|
On top of Old Smoky,
All covered with snow,
I lost my true lover
A-courtin' too slow
|
