Hills Of Roane County

In the beautiful hills, in the midst of Roane Country
There's where I 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

For twenty five years this whole world I rambled
I went to old England to France and to Spain
But I thought of my home way back in Roan Country
I boarded a steamer and came back again

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