May I sleep in your barn tonight, mister?

It's so cold lying out on the ground;

And the cold north winds to the whistling,

And I have no place to lie down.



Now I have no tobacco or matches,

And I'm sure I would 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 last summer,

I shall never forget that sad day,

When a stranger came out from the city,

And he said that he wanted to stay.



Now this 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 stay for his health.



Then one night as I came from my workshop,

I was whistling and singing with joy;

I expected a kind-hearted welcome,

From my sweet loving wife and my boy.



Oh. 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,

Why I take it right up in my hands.



Now this note said my wife and the stranger,

They had left and have taken my son;

Oh, I wonder if God up in heaven,

Only knows what this stranger has done."



May I sleep in your barn tonight, mister?

It's so cold lying out on the ground;

And the cold north winds to the whistling,

And I have no place to lie down.