I had me a wife, I had me some daughters I tried so hard; I never knew still waters Nothing to eat and nothing to drink Nothing for a man to do but sit around and think Nothing for a man to do but sit around and think Well, I'm a-thinkin' and thinkin', 'til there's nothin' I ain't thunk Breathing in the stink 'til finally I stunk It was at that time, I swear I lost my mind I started making plans to kill my own kind I started making plans to kill my own kind "Come, little daughter," I said to the youngest one "Put your coat on, we'll have some fun We'll go out to mountains, the one to explore." Her face then lit up, I was standing by the door Her face then lit up, I was standing by the door "Come, little daughter, I will carry the lanterns We'll go out tonight, we'll go to the caverns We'll go out tonight, we'll go to the caves Kiss your mother goodnight and remember that God saves Kiss your mother goodnight and remember that God saves." I led her to a hole, a deep black well I said, "Make a wish, make sure and not tell And close your eyes, dear, and count to seven You know your papa loves you; good children go to heaven You know your papa loves you; good children go to heaven." I gave her a push, I gave her a shove I pushed with all my might, I pushed with all my love I threw my child into a bottomless pit She was screaming as she fell, but I never heard her hit She was screaming as she fell, but I never heard her hit Gather round, boys, to this tale that I tell You wanna know how to take a short trip to Hell? It's guaranteed to get your own place in Hell Just take your lovely daughter and push her in the well Take your lovely daughter and throw her in the well Don't speak to me of lovers with a broken heart You wanna know what can really tear you apart? I'm going out to the barn; will I never stop in pain? I'm going out to the barn to hang myself in shame