In the beautiful hills, in the midst of Roane County There's where I have roamed for many long years There's where my heart's been tending most ever That's where the first step of misfortune I made
I was about thirty years when I courted and married Amanda Gilbraith I then called my wife For some unknown reason her brother Tom stabbed me Just three months later I'd taken Tom's life
I was captured and tried in the village of Spenser Not a man in the county would speak one kind word When the jury came in with the verdict next morning A lifetime in prison were the words that I heard
When the train pulled out poor mother stood weepin And sister she sat all alone with a sigh And the last words I heard was Willie God bless you Was Willie God bless you, God bless you, good bye
In the scorching hot sand of Bamly I'm working Yes working and toiling my life all away They'll measure my grave on the bank of old Cumberland Just as soon as I finish the rest of my days No matter what happens to me in Roane County No matter how long my sentence may be Boys when you write home from a sturdy old prison Put one of my songs in your letter for me.