Traditional On top of old Smokey all covered with snow I lost my true lover by courting too slow Now courting's a pleasure and parting's a grief A false hearted lover is worse than a thief. A thief will but rob you and take what you've saved But a false hearted lover will send you to the grave The grave will decay you and turn you to dust
Not one girl in a hundred that a poor girl can trust. Go hitch up your horses and feed them some hay Then sit down beside me as long as you stay My horses ain't hungry, they won't eat your hay So fare thee well, darling, I'll be on my way. On top of old Smokey all covered with snow I lost my true lover by courting too slow.