CODE OF THE MOUNTAINS

There's a code in the mountains way down in the backwood
There's code in the mountains and an unwritten law
There Harry and Joe Brown way down in the backwoods
There Harry and Joe Brown shot Charlie McGraw.

Said Harry to Joe Brown way down in the backwoods
Said Harry to Joe Brown, "You thought you were brave,
But the code of the mountains way down in the backwoods
The code of the mountains says that we must die."

They caught them at daybreak way down in the backwoods
They caught them at daybreak, down on their knees
They pleaded for mercy way down in the backwoods
They pleaded for mercy, but they heard not their plea.

There's a code in the mountains way down in the backwoods
A code in the mountains and an unwritten law
There's a code in the mountains way down in the backwoods
Code in the mountains is the only law there.

Transcribed from the singing of Bonnie McKinney, recorded June 1991.

Source:
Folksongs & Ballads, Vol. 4 (Augusta Heritage Recordings, AHR 010).

Notes:
"A relative from Enoch, in Clay County, taught Bonnie this song. The family names indicate that it may be of local origin."

A song of commercial origin, written by Karl & Harty and Patrick McAdory, recorded by Brownie Ford and Tennessee Ernie Ford and Texas Ruby & Curly Fox, I believe (among others).