Nestled in the heart of the Tennessee Hills

Among the peaceful pines midst the rocks and the rills

There stands my old homeplace of long long ago

It brings back fond mem'ry of one I loved so

I courted that maiden so sweet and so fair

With heavenly eyes and with chestnut brown hair

She said that she loved me and always would be mine

But I went away leavin' her there behind

I'll tell you the reason that I left here there

To roam this old world with its sorrow and care

I saw her one night in the arms of a man hugging and kissing as two lovers can

While dining one night in a far off country town

A stranger walked in and he chanced to sit down

While speaking of loved ones I happened to find

He was the brother of that old sweetheart of mine

When he heard my story to me then he said

The one you love has a long time been dead

Oh I was the one who you saw that fatal night

All wrapped in the arms of my sister so tight

She loved you so dearly but you broke her heart

But stranger from her ever more you must part