Family Songs

On top of old Smoky, 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