I’ve only loved three women in all my weary life
The first one was my mother, the one who gave me life
Then God gave me a sister, I loved her more than life
And after I grew to be a man, I took my darling wife

For I’ve only loved three women, in all my lonesome life
My mother, dear, my sister fair and my dear darling wife

[Yodel]

We traveled east, we traveled west, and God knows that I’ve tried
For ev’ry time she did me wrong, I’d forgive my loving wife
I’d take her in my loving arms, forgive again and again
Till one spring day she ran away with a man I thought was my friend

For I’ve only loved three women, in all my weary life
My sister and my mother, dear and my dear darling wife

[Yodel]

Then I traveled east, I traveled west, but I traveled all alone
And after two long years have gone, I found a man wrecked my home
They put me in the jailhouse that don’t worry me
For if you take my life away, it will put my worries free

I’ve only loved three women, in all my weary life
My sister and my mother, dear and the one I call my wife