In The Hills Of Roane County

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
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 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