Kind friends you have heard the story,
and the song called twenty one years,
all of how two lovers parted,
of their sorrow, pain and tears.
I am another who's heartbroken,
and i'm in this lonesome jail
i was the honest ranger,
tried for fame but soon i failed.
I was a cowboy singer,
and i played the old guitar,
but my mind was set on roaming,
i started out for lands a-far.
Soon fell with bad companions,
and we robbed the western mail
shot and killed some helpless lady,
as i think my face grows pale.
I had a pretty sweet heart,
and she though the world of me,
but we parted at the station,
down in sunny tennessee.
Last night from her i got a letter,
saying, "i can never be your bride"
as the moon shone though my window,
i bowed my head and cried.
Never more we'll stroll together;
down in dear old lover's lane,
i must spend my life in prison,
i pray on high we'll meet again.