On Top of Old Smokey - Odetta
On top of old smokey
All covered with snow
I lost my true lover
For a courting too slow
Courting's a pleasure
Parting's a grief
And false hearted lover
Is worse than a thief
A thief he will rob you
And take what you have
A false hearted lover
Will leave you to your grave
Your grave will decay you
And turn you to dust
Not one guy in hundred
A poor girl can trust
Hug you and kiss you
And tell you more lies
Than the cross ties on a railroad
Or the stars in the sky
So come all your ladies
And listen to me
Never place your affections
On a green willow tree
For the leaves they will whither
The roots they will die
Your true love will leave you
And you never know why