Poor Ellen Smith how was she found Shot through the heart lying cold on the ground Her clothes were all scattered and thrown on the ground The blood marks the spot where poor Ellen was found 2. They pick up their rifles and hunted me down They found me a-loafing in all around the town They pick up her body and carried it away And now she is sleeping in some lonesome old grave 3. I got a letter yesterday I read it today The flowers on her grave have all faded away Someday I'll go home and say when I go On poor Ellen's grave pretty flowers I'll stow 4. I've been in this prison for twenty long years Each night I see Ellen through my bitter tears The warden just told me that soon I'll be free To go to her grave 'neath that old willow tree 5. My days in this prison are ending at last I'll never be free from the sins of my past Poor Ellen Smith how was she found Shot through the heart lying cold on the ground