I've always been a rambler
I've always been the rambler my fortune's been quite hard
I've always kept for women, drank whiskey and played cards
My parents treat me kindly since they had no boy but me
My mind was bent on ramblin', at home I couldn't agree
There was a wealthy farmer who lived in the country by
He had one handsome daughter on whom I cast an eye
She was so tall and handsome, so pretty and so fair
Wasn't one girl in this wide world with her I could compare
When I asked if it'd make any difference if I crossed over the plain
She says it'd make no difference so you return again
She promised she'd prove true to me until I proved unkind
Kissed, shook hands and parted with the one I left behind
I left old North Carolina, to Marion I did go
Way out to Johnson City, gonna see this wide world o'er
Where money and work were plentiful and the people treated me kind
The only object of my heart was the one I left behind
I rambled out one evening down on the country square
The mail had just arriven when the post-boy met me there
He handed me a letter which give me to understand
The girl I'd left in Carolina had married another man
I read a few lines further 'til I found that it was true
My mind was filled with sorrow, I didn't know what to do
My mind was filled with trouble, while trouble's on my mind
Going to drink and gamble for the one I left behind