[Verse 1]
It's I am a poor and a ramblin' boy
Though many of a show it's I have been
In Cumberland City I pay my way
And spend my money at the balls and play

[Verse 2]
In Cumberland City I married me a wife
Loved her as I loved my life
She treated me kind both night and day
Caused me to rob on the road highway

[Verse 3]
So my pretty little miss, so fare you well
I love you so well no one can tell
If pleasure no more on earth I see
I wouldn't serve you as you're servin' me

[Verse 4]
I robbed them all I will declare
I robbed thеm all in deep despair
I robbed them all tеn thousand pounds
That night when I was a-ramblin' around

[Verse 5]
So my pretty little miss sixteen years old
Hair just as yellow as the shinin' gold
Well, the prettiest face, the sweetest hands
God bless the ground on where she stands
[Verse 6]
Now, my mother sits and weeps and mourns
Sister says she is left alone
My true love cries in deep despair
With her dark brown eyes and her curly, curly hair

[Verse 7]
So I'm goin' far on yon to weep
Satisfied I cannot sleep
But I will write you a few short lines
Hard as death ten thousand times

[Verse 8]
It's I'll buy me a paper and I'll set down
I'll write a few lines to my Governor Brown
He received that letter and he read it awhile
He began to think on his woman and child

[Verse 9]
Then I'll get me some paper and I'll set down
Write another letter to my Governor Brown
And every word will be the truth
I'll ask that governor to turn me loose

[Verse 10]
Well, I'll buy me a ticket to that foreign town
Get on the train and it's I'll set down
Well, the wheels will roll and the whistles will moan
Take me a long time to get back home
[Verse 11]
Come young and old and stand around
See me laid in this cold ground
I'm not ashamed nor afraid to die
Hope to meet you by and by