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