This recording has omitted a couple of key versese and
has different phrasing in places.

HILLS OF ROANE COUNTY
Blue Sky Boys

In the beautiful hills, in the midst of Roane County
There's where I have roamed for many long years
There's where my heart's been tending most ever
There's where the first step of misfortune I made.

I was about thirty years when I courted and married
A[r]manda Gilbraith was there called my wife
But for some unknown reason her brother Tom stabbed me
Just three months later I'd taken Tom's life

*For twenty-five years this whole world I've rambled
*I went to old England, to France and to Spain
*But I thought of my home 'way back in Roan County
*I boarded a steamer and came back again.

I was captured and tried in the village of Kingston
Not a man in that county would speak one kind word
When the jury came in with the verdict next morning
A lifetime in prison were the words that I heard.

When the train pulled out poor mother stood weeping
And sister she set all alone with a sigh
And the last words I heard was Willie God bless you
Was Willie God bless you, God bless you, Goodbye.

*Sweet Martha was grave but Corey was better
*There's better and worse, although you can see
*Boys, when you write home from the prison in Nashville
*Place one of my songs in your letter for me.

In the scorching hot sand [of foundry?] I'm working
Yes, working and toiling my life all away
They'll measure my grave on the banks of old cumberland
Just soon as I finish the rest of my days

Now matter what happens to me in roane country
No matter how long my sentence may be
Boys when you write home from this dirty old prison
Put one of my songs in you letter for me.

Note. * = verses not on this particular recording.