I started out from Memphis with two dollars and a dime,

I started out from Memphis, boys, with two dollars and a dime,

But I landed in old Hazard, boys, I did not have a shine --

Lord, I've been all around this world. 

I went to work on the railroad, boys, the mud up to my knees, 

I went to work on the railroad, boys, the mud up to my knees. 

The boss come round to boss me, boys, I done just as I pleased --

God knows, I been all round this world. 



I went up to the Midway Inn with money to shoot some dice, 

I went up to the Midway Inn with money to shoot some dice. 

They took from me my money, boys, I begged them for my life --

God knows, I've been all around this world. 



The new railroad is finished, boys, the cars are on the track,

The new railroad is finished, boys, the cars are on the track. 

My doney girl has left me, boys, I know that she won't come back --

God knows, I've been all around this world. 



I went to the Blue Ridge Mountains and there'll I'll take my stand, 

I went to the Blue Ridge Mountains, boys, and there I'll take my stand, 

With a rifle on my shoulder, boys, and a six-shooter in my hands --

God knows, I've been all around this world. 



The officers came and arrested me and they take me down to jail, 

The officers came and arrested me and they take me down to jail. 

They said to me, "Old fellow, now you know you're allowed no bail." --

God knows, I've been all around this world. 



They take me to the court house, boys, and there I had a crowd, 

They take me to the court house, boys, and there I had a crowd. 

The sentence was to hang me and leave my wife and child --

God knows, I've been all around this world. 



The sentence was to hang me, well I don't care if you do, 

The sentence was to hang me, well I don't care if you do. 

But look out boys, when you hang me, it's liable to injure you --

God knows, I've been all around this world. 



Father and mother, boys, and little sister make three, 

Father and mother, boys, and little sister make three, 

Came weeping to the gallows, boys, and see the last of me --

God knows, I've been all around this world. 



You all can sing this song, boys, when I am dead and gone, 

You all can sing this song, boys, when I am dead and gone. 

Just think about old Justus, boys, they sung it 'fore he was gone --

God knows, but he went all around this world.



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Up on the Blue Ridge mountain, there I'll take my stand

Up on the Blue Ridge mountain, there I'll take my stand

A rifle on my shoulder, six-shooter in my hand

Lord, Lord, I've been all around this world



Lulu, my Lulu, come and open the door

Lulu, my Lulu, come and open the door

Before I have to walk on in with my old forty-four

Lord, I've been all around this world



Mama and papa, little sister makes three

Mama and papa, little sister makes three

They're coming in the morning, that's the last you'll see of me

Lord, lord, I've been all around this world



Hang me, oh hang me, so I'll be dead and gone

Hang me, oh hang me, so I'll be dead and gone

I wouldn't mind your hanging boys, but you wait in jail so long

Lord, I've been all around this world



Up on the Blue Ridge mountain, there I'll take my stand

Up on the Blue Ridge mountain, there I'll take my stand

A rifle on my shoulder, six-shooter in my hand

Lord, Lord, I've been all around this world