Old Smokey

On top of Old Smokey
All covered with snow
I lost my true lover
For a courting too slow

For courting is a pleasure
And parting is grief
And a false hearted lover
Is worse than a thief

A thief will just rob you
And take all you have
But a false hearted lover
Will lead you to the grave

The grave will decay you
And turn you to dust
Not one boy in a hundred
A poor girl can trust

They'll hug you and kiss you
And tell you more lies
Than cross-ties on a railroad
Or stars in the sky

So come all young maidens
And listen to me
Never place your affections
On a green willow tree

The roots they will wither
The leaves they will die
You'll all be forsaken
And never know why .

- return to song book -