On Top of Old Smoky

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. --- On Top of Old Smoky - Pete Seeger