Keith,

Here is most of the Carter Family's version. There are a couple of words that I cannot decipher - perhaps Dale can clarify them. In the third line of the first verse Sara is not singing 'a little' as given in the Prine version, but it's probably good enough - it sounds like a name, 'Bethel' or something similar. I am not certain about 'suffer stern rebuff' in the second verse - Sara's accent is difficult - but that's my best bet.

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH (A.P.Carter)

While walking out one evening not knowing where to go
Just to pass the time away before we held our show
I heard a little (the Bethel ?) mission band singing with all their might
I gave my heart to Jesus and left the show that night

Chorus: The day will soon be over and evening will be done
And no more gems be gathered so let us all press on
When Jesus comes to claim us and says it is enough
The diamonds will be shining no longer in the rough

One day my precious comrade you too were lost in sin
And others sought your rescue and Jesus took you in
And when you're tired and tempted and suffer stern rebuff
Don't turn away in anger, there's diamonds in the rough

Chorus

When reading through the bible some wondrous sights are seen
I read of Peter, James and John by the sea of Galilee
And Jesus when he found them, he found them very tough
And they were precious diamonds he gathered in the rough

Chorus

Writer: A.P. Carter Peer Int. Corp BMI.

Recorded by the Carter Family 15 February 1929 Vi V-40150. Reissued on The Carter Family 'Clinch Mountain Home: Their Complete Victor Recordings 1928-1929' Rounder CD 1065.

Cheers, Stewie.