You can hear this version on YouTube:

THEY CUT DOWN THE OLD PINE TREE
As recorded by Dick Robertson w/Orch, 1930, released as Brunswick 4785 & Supertone S-2207.

Stop a while and listen to my story.
I've just come down from the hills.
I went there to find my childhood sweetheart
Midst the roses and the whippoorwills.
I returned to look for the old pine tree
That haunted my memory so.
It was there she said she'd be waiting for me
When we carved our hearts long ago,
But the old pine tree was gone.
Still my love for her lingers on.

They cut down the old pine tree (pine tree),
And they hauled it away to the mill (to the mill)
To make a coffin of pine
For that sweetheart of mine.
They cut down the old pine tree.

But she's not alone in her grave tonight,
For it's there my heart will always be.
Though we'd drifted apart,
Still they cut down my heart
When they cut down the old pine tree.

[Instrumental break]

But she's not alone in her grave tonight,
For it's there my heart will always be.
Now I always will roam,
For they cut down my home
When they cut down the old pine tree.

They cut down the old pine tree (pine tree),
And they hauled it away to the mill (to the mill).
There'll be no cradle of pine
For a baby of mine.
They cut down the old pine tree.

But she's not alone in her grave tonight,
For it's there my heart will always be.
Now I'm lost and forlorn.
Wish I'd never been born,
Since they cut down the old pine tree (the old pine tree).