Nestled in the heart of the Tennessee Hills

Mist peaceful pines midst the rocks and the rills

There stands my old homestead of long long ago

It brings back fond mem'ries of the one I loved so

I courted that maiden so sweet and so fair

With heavenly eyes and with chestnut brown hair

She told me she loved me and that she'll be mine

But I went away leaving her far 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 just hugging and kissing as two lovers can

I went to my home with a heart full of woe packed my belongings determined to go

For many long years this old world I did roam

With thoughts of my darling my sweetheart my home

[ dobro ]

While dining one night in a little country town

A stranger walked in and he chanced to sit down

While talking of loved ones I happened to find

That his sister was that old sweetheart of mine

And when he heard my story to me he then said

The one that you loved has a long time been dead

She waited so long for the day that you'd return

And just why you had left her she never did learn

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

Now stranger from her ever more you must part