In the beautiful hills, way back in Roane Country

There's where I roamed for many long years

There's where my heart's been tending most ever

That's where the first step of misfortune I made



I was about thirty years when I courted and married

Amanda Gilbraith I then called my wife

But her brother stabbed me for some unknown reason

Just three months later I'd taken Tom's life



For twenty five years this whole world I rambled

I went to old England to France and to Spain

But I thought of my home way back in Roan Country

I boarded a steamer and came back again



I was captured and tried in the village of Kingston

Not a man in the county would speak one kind word

When the jury came in with the verdict next morning

A lifetime in prison was the words that I heard



When the train pulled out poor mother stood weepin

And sister she sat alone with a sigh

And the last words I heard was Willie God bless you

Was Willie God bless you, God bless you, good bye



Sweet Martha was grave but Corey was better

There's better and worse, although you can see

Boys when you write home from the prison in Nashville

Place one of my songs in your letter for me