On top of old smokey
All covered with snow
I lost my true lover
From a courtin' too slow

For courtin's a pleasure
And parting is grief
And a false-hearted lover
Is worse than a thief

A thief will just rob you
(A thief will just rob you)
And he'll take what you have
(And take what you have)

But a false-hearted lover
(A false-hearted lover)
Will lead you to the grave
(Lead you to the grave)

They'll hug you and kiss you
(They'll hug you and kiss you)
And tell you more lies
(And tell you more lies)

Than cross ties on the railroad
(Cross ties on the railroad)
Or the stars in the sky
(Or stars in the sky)
On top of old smokey
All covered with snow
I lost my true lover
From a courtin' too slow