"Tis just a year ago today that I remember well
I sat down by poor Nelly's side and a story she did tell
"Twas 'bout a poor old darkey, Jeff, that lived for many a year
But now he's dead and in his grave, no trouble does he fear

For good old Jeff has gone to rest
We know that he is free
Disturb him not, but let him rest
Way down in Tennessee

She took my arm, we walked along into an open field
And there she paused to breathe a while, then to his grave did steal
She sat down by that little mound and softly whispered there
"Come to me, Father, 'tis thy child," and gently dropped a tear

For good old Jeff has gone to rest
We know that he is free
Disturb him not, but let him rest
Way down in Tennessee

But since that time, how things have changed, poor Nelly that was my bride
Is laid beneath the cold clay sod, down by her father's side
I planted there upon her grave a weeping willow tree
I bathed its roots with many a tear that it might shelter me

For good old Jeff has gone to rest
We know that he is free
Disturb him not, but let him rest
Way down in Tennessee