On top of old Smokey, all covered with snow
I lost my true lover from courting too slow
Now, courting is pleasure and parting is grief
And a false-hearted lover is worse than a thief
For a thief will just rob you and take what you have
But a false-hearted lover will lead you to the grave
And the grave will decay you and turn you to dust;
Not one boy in a hundred a poor girl can trust
They'll hug you and kiss you and tell you more lies
Than cross ties on a railroad or stars in the skies
So, come all you young maidens and listen to me
Never place your affection on a green willow tree
For the leaves they will whither, and the roots they will die
You'll all be forsaken and never know why