One night it was dark and it was storming when along came a tramp in the rain

He was making his way to some station to catch a long distance train



May I sleep in your barn Mister it is cold lying out on the ground

And the cold north wind is whistling and I have no place to lie down

Now I have no tobacco nor matches and I'm sure I can cause you no harm

I will tell you my story kind Mister for it runs through my heart like a storm



It was three years ago just last summer I shall never forget that sad day

When a stranger came out from the city and said that he wanted to stay

Now the stranger was fair tall and handsome and he looked like a man who had wealth

And he wanted to stay in the country said he wanted to stop for his health



One night as I came from my workshop I was whistling and singing with joy

I expected a kind hearty welcome from my sweet loving wife and my boy

But what did I find but a letter it was placed in my room on the stand

And the moment my eyes fell upon it I picked it right up in my hand



Now this note said my wife and the stranger had left and had taken my son

Oh I wonder if God up in heaven only knows what this stranger has done

May I sleep in your barn Mister it is cold lying out on the ground

And the cold north wind is a whistling and I have no place to lie down