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
