Nestled in the heart of the Tennessee hills Midst peaceful pines ‘neath the rocks and the rills There stands my old homestead of long years ago Brings back sweet memories of the one I loved so I courted a maiden so sweet and so fair With pearly blue eyes and with chestnut brown hair She promised to love and said she's be mine But I went away leaving her there behind I'll tell you the reason why I left her there To roam this old world with its sorrow and cares I saw her one night in the arms of a man Hugging and kissing as true lovers can I went to my home with a heart full of woe Packed my belongings determined to go For many long years this old world I did roam With thoughts of my sweetheart my darling my own While dining one day in a little country town A stranger came in and he chanced to sit down While talking of loved ones I happened to find That his sister was that old sweetheart of mine Now I am the man who you saw that fateful night Wrapped in the arms of my sister so tight She waited so long for the day you'd return And why you had left her she never did learn When he heard my story to me then he said The one that you loved has a long time been dead She loved you so dearly but you broke her heart Poor stranger, from her ever more you must part