Burl Ives
"On Top Of Old Smokey"

On top of old smokey.

On top of old smokey all covered with snow
i lost my true lover for courting too slow
for courting's a pleasure and parting's a grief
and a false hearted lover is worse than a thief
for a thief will just rob you and take all you save
but a false hearted lover will lead you to the grave
and the grave will decay you and turn you to dust
not one girl in a hundred a poor boy can trust
they'll hug you and kiss you and tell you more lies
than cross lines on a railroad or stars in the skies
so come all your maidens and listen to me
never place your affections on a green willow tree
for the leaves they will wither and the roots they will die
you'll all be forsaken and never know why.