Nestled in the heart of the Tennessee hills

Midst peaceful pines ‘neath the rocks and the rills

There stands my old homestead of long years ago

Brings back sweet memories of the one I loved so



I courted a maiden so sweet and so fair

With pearly blue eyes and with chestnut brown hair

She promised to love and said she's be mine

But I went away leaving her there behind



I'll tell you the reason why I left her there

To roam this old world with its sorrow and cares

I saw her one night in the arms of a man

Hugging and kissing as true 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 sweetheart my darling my own



While dining one day in a little country town

A stranger came 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



Now I am the man who you saw that fateful night

Wrapped in the arms of my sister so tight

She waited so long for the day you'd return

And why you had left her she never did learn



When he heard my story to me then he said

The one that you loved has a long time been dead

She loved you so dearly but you broke her heart

Poor stranger, from her ever more you must part