On October 23rd, 1978
I lost a loved one and I confess, I cried
In the joyous celebration of the lady and her music
There were tears in the Holston River
When Maybelle Carter died

Then walking down that river road
I saw crystal tear-shaped droplets
Silver beads of love sparklin' on the river side

And I'll just bet they turn to diamonds
For the love that was behind 'em
There were tears in the Holston River
When Mother Maybelle died

Then on January eighth, nineteen seventy-nine
We lost Sara Carter
And the pain was multiplied

Down below that old Clinch Mountain
We laid her at Mount Vernon
There were tears in the Holston River
When Sara Carter died

Then walking down that river road
I saw crystal tear-shaped droplets
Silver beads of love sparklin' in the riverside
And I'll just bet they turn to diamonds
For the love that was behind 'em
There were tears in the Holston River
When Maybelle and Sara died

There were tears in the Holston River
When Mother Maybelle and Sara Carter died