Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E) From the album Doc & Merle Watson "Ballads from Deepgap" Intro: G C D D7 G X2 Verse 1: G C Nestled in the heart of the Tennessee hills D D7 G Midst peaceful pines, midst the rocks and the rills G C There stands my old homestead of long, long ago D D7 G And it brings back fond memories of the girl that I loved so
Verse 2: G C I courted a maiden so sweet and so fair D D7 G With heavenly eyes and the chestnut brown hair G C She told me she loved me and said that she'd be mine D D7 G But I went away leaving her there behind Instrumental: G C D D7 G X2 Verse 3: G C I'll tell you the reason that I left her there D D7 G To roam this old world with its sorrows and cares G C I saw her one night in the arms of a man D D7 G Hugging and kissing as true lovers can Verse 4: G C Then I went to my home with a heart full of woe D D7 G I packed by belongings, de-termined to go G C For many long years, this old world I did roam D D7 G With thoughts of my darling, my sweetheart, my own Instrumental: G C D D7 G X2 Verse 5: G C While dining one day in a little country town D D7 G A stranger walked in and he chanced to set down G C While talking of loved ones I happened to find D D7 G That his sister was that old sweetheart of mine Verse 6: G C When he heard my story to me he then said D D7 G The one you left there has a long time been dead G C She waited so long for the day that you'd return D D7 G But why you had left her she never did learn Verse 7: G C Now I was the man that you saw that fatal night D D7 G Wrapped in the arms of my sister so tight G C She loved you so dearly but you broke her heart D D7 G For stranger, from her ever more you must part Instrumental: G C D D7 G X2