On top of Old Smokey 
All covered with snow 
I lost my true lover 
From a-courtin' too slow

Now courting's a pleasure 
And parting is grief 
But a false hearted lover 
Is worse than a thief

For a thief he will rob you 
And take all you have 
But a false hearted lover 
Will lead you to the grave

And the grave will decay you 
And turn you to dust 
There ain't a girl in a hundred 
That a poor boy can trust

They'll hug you and kiss you 
And tell you more lies 
Than the cross ties on railroads 
Or stars in the sky

They tell you they love you 
To give your heart ease 
But as soon as your back's turned 
They court whom they please

So come all you 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 
And your true love will leave you 
And you'll never know why