I'll never forget when I met sweet Cora, my pretty quadroon I see her dear eyes shining yet as we vowed to be true neath the moon Her form was exceedingly fair, she had cheeks like the wild rose in June And the ringlets of dark glossy hair were the curls of my pretty quadroon. So happy were we for a while, like two lovers we dwelt 'neath the bower And the sweetness of Cora's bright smile seemed to ripen the blush of the flower But happiness fades like the rose and before the next coming of June The grim reaper knocked at my door took Cora my pretty quadroon. Refrain: Oh, my pretty quadroon, my flower that faded too soon! My heart's like the strings on my banjo, all broke for my pretty quadroon. Farewell to Kentucky's green hills, farewell to Kentucky's green glades Farewell to the green clover fields where Cora and I often strayed My sorrow will soon be forgot and my heart will find rest in the tomb But my spirit will fly to the spot and watch over my pretty quadroon.