On top of old Smokey,
All covered with snow,
I lost my true lover
From courting too slow.
For courting's a pleasure
And parting is grief,
But a false-hearted lover
is worse than a thief.
For a thief will just rob you
And take what you have,
But a false-hearted lover
Will lead you to the grave.
The grave will decay you
And turn you to dust,
Not one boy in a hundred
That a poor girl can trust.
They'll hug you and kiss you
And tell you more lies,
Than cross-ties on a railroad
Or stars in the skies.
They tell you they love you
To give your heart ease,
But as soon as your back's turned,
They court whom they please.
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So, come all you young maidens
Take a warning from me,
Never place your affection
On a green willow tree.
For the leaves they will wither,
And the roots they will die,
You'll all be forsaken,
And never know why.
(alternate)
For the leaves they will wither,
And the roots will decay,
and the false-hearted lover
will soon fade away.
I'll go up on Smokey,
On the mountain so high,
Where the wild birds and turtledoves
Can hear my sad cry.
As sure as the dewdrops
Fall on the green corn
Last night he was with me
Tonight he is gone.
On top of old Smokey,
All covered with snow,
I lost my true lover
From courting too slow.
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