Early one day the sun wouldn't shine
I was walking down the street not feeling too fine
I saw two old men with a bottle between ' em
and this was the song that I heard them singing
Lord preserve us and protect us
we've been drinking whiskey 'fore breakfast
Well I stopped by the steps where they was sitting
And I couldn't believe how drunk they were getting
I said "old men, have you been drinking long?"
They said "just long enough to be singing this song"
Lord preserve us and protect us
we've been drinking whiskey 'fore breakfast
Well they passed me the bottle and I took a little sip
and it felt so good I just couldn't quit
I drank some more and next thing I knew
There were three of us sitting there singing this tune
Lord preserve us and protect us
we've been drinking whiskey 'fore breakfast
One by one everybody in the town
they heard our ruckus and they all came down
and pretty soon all the streets were ringing
with the sound of the whole town laughing and singing
- Mandolin Intro
I'm out on a sea filled with sorrows
Tossed like a ship to and fro
I'm seeking the help of my savior
By the way of the cross I must go
Back to the cross and to Jesus
Back to the cross I am called
I've drifted too far and I've wandered
From the savior that once was my all
- Fiddle solo
The joys of this life are too fleeting
And I'm left in troubles alone
I've lost the touch of his presence
I've drifted too far from home
Back to the cross and to Jesus
Back to the cross I am called
I've drifted too far and I've wandered
From the savior that once was my all
- Mandolin break
The sins of this world have overcome me
Have crushed and left me to roam
So I'm going to back to my savior
Back to the cross and home
Back to the cross and to Jesus
Back to the cross I am called
I've drifted too far and I've wandered
From the savior that once was my all
- Mandolin Intro
Oh the river of death lies just before me
Can I find a place that I can cross
Or will I be in sin forever
Oh Lord don't let my soul be lost
Oh I wanna walk with Christ my savior
For he's the one that'll guide me on
All through my life I've been a sinner
Now I'm right with God so I'm traveling home
Oh I can hear my savior calling
To me his voice sounds sweet and low
For me I hear my loved ones cheering
Oh, praise the Lord I'm ready to go
[Chorus]
My life down here will soon be over
And this old world holds nothing for me
He saved my soul and He made me happy
That beautiful land I'm going to see
[Chorus]
Back in the days of my childhood
In the evening when everything was still
I used to sit and listen to the fox hounds
With my dad in the old Kentucky hills
I'm on my way back to the old home,
That road winds on up the hill
But there's no light in the window,
That shined long ago where I lived
Soon my childhood days were over
I had to leave my old home
For my mom and dad were called to heaven
I was left in this world all alone
High in the hills of old Kentucky
Stands the fondest part of my memory
I'm on my way back to the old home
That light in the window I long to see
There's a well beaten path in the old mountainside
Where I wandered when I was a lad
And I wandered alone to the place I call home
In those Blueridge hills far away
Oh I love those hills of old Virginia
From those Blueridge hills I did roam
When I die won't you bury me on the mountain
Far away near my Blueridge mountain home
Now my thoughts wander back to that ramshackle shack
In those blue ridge hills far away
Where my mother and dad were laid there to rest
They are sleeping in peace together there
I return to that old cabin home with the sigh
I've been longing for days gone by
When I die won't you bury me on that old mountain side
Make my resting place upon the hills so high
Tonight I'm alone without you my dear
It seems there's a longing for you still
All I have to do now is sit alone and cry
In our little cabin home on the hill
Oh, someone has taken you from me
And left me here all alone
Just to listen to the rain beat on my window pane
In our little cabin home on the hill
I hope you are happy tonight as you are
But in my heart there's a longing for you still
I just keep it there so I won't be alone
In our little cabin home on the hill
Now when you have come to the end of the way
And find there's no more happiness for you
Just let you thoughts turn back once more if you will
To our little cabin home on the hill
I am a man of constant sorrow
I've seen trouble all my days
I bid farewell to old Kentucky
The place where I was born and raised
For six long years I've been in trouble
No pleasure here on earth I find
For in this world I'm bound to ramble
I have no friends to help me now
It's fare thee well my own true lover
I never expect to see you again
For I'm bound to ride that Northern railroad
Perhaps I'll die upon this train
You can bury me in some deep valley
For many years where I may lay
Then you may learn to love another
While I am sleeping in my grave
It's fare you well to a native country
The places I have loved so well
For I have seen all kinds of trouble
In this cruel world no tongue can tell
Maybe your friends think I'm a stranger
My face you'll never see no more
But there is one promise that is given
I'll meet you on God's golden shore
My latest sun is sinking fast
my race is nearly run
my longest trials now are passed
my triumph has begun
[Chorus]
Oh come, Angel band come and ... around me stand
Oh, bear me away on your snow white wings
to my immortal home
bear me away on your snow white wings
to my immortal home
Oh bear my loving heart to him
who bled and died for me
whose blood now cleanses from all sins
and gives me victory
[Chorus]
I know I'm near the holy ranks
of friends and kindred dear
I've brushed the dew on Jordan 's banks
the crossing must be near
[Chorus]
I've almost reached my heavenly home
spirit loudly sings
the holy ones, behold they come
I hear the noise of wings
[Chorus]
As I look at the letters that you wrote to me ,
It's you that I am thinking of.
As I read the lines, that to me were so dear ,
I remember our faded love.
I miss you darling, more and more every day ,
As Heaven would miss the stars above.
With every heartbeat, I still think of you ,
And remember our faded love.
As I think of the past and all the pleasures we had ,
As I watched the mating of the dove.
It was in the spring time that you said goodbye ,
I remember our faded love.
[Chorus]
And remember our faded love.
I was standing by my window,
On one cold and cloudy day
When I saw that hearse come rolling
For to carry my mother away
[CHORUS]
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, lord, in the sky
I said to that undertaker
Undertaker please drive slow
For this lady you are carrying
Lord, I hate to see here go
[CHORUS]
Oh, I followed close behind her
Tried to hold up and be brave
But I could not hide my sorrow
When they laid her in the grave
[CHORUS]
I went back home, my home was lonesome
Missed my mother, she was gone
All of my brothers, sisters crying
What a home so sad and lone
[CHORUS]
We sang the songs of childhood
Hymns of faith that made us strong
Ones that mother Maybelle taught us
Hear the angels sing along
[CHORUS]
Some bright morning when this life is over
I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away
I'll fly away oh glory
I'll fly away (in the morning)
When I die hallelujah by and by
I'll fly away
When the shadows of this life have gone
I'll fly away
Like a bird from these prison walls I'll fly
I'll fly away
Oh how glad and happy when we meet
I'll fly away
No more cold iron shackles on my feet
I'll fly away
Just a few more weary days and then
I'll fly away
To a land where joys will never end
I'll fly away
I'm going down this road feeling bad
I'm going down this road feeling bad
I'm going down this road feeling bad, lord, lord
And I ain't a- gonna be treated this a-way
I'm down in the jailhouse on my knees
Down in the jailhouse on my knees
Down in the jailhouse on my knees, lord, lord
And I ain't a- gonna be treated this a-way
They feed me on corn bread and beans
They feed me on corn bread and beans
They feed me on corn bread and beans, lord, lord
And I ain't a- gonna be treated this a-way
Got two dollar shoes on my feet
Got two dollar shoes on my feet
Two dollar shoes they hurt my feet, lord, lord
And I ain't a- gonna be treated this a-way
It takes a ten dollar shoe to fit my foot
It takes a ten dollar shoe to fit my foot
It takes a ten dollar shoe to fit my foot, Great God
And I ain't a- gonna be treated this a-way
I'm going where the weather fits my clothes
I'm going where the weather fits my clothes
I'm going where the weather fits my clothes, lord lord
And I ain't a- gonna be treated this a-way
I know you loved him
A long time ago
Even now in my arms
You still want him I know
But darling this time
Let your memories die
When you hold me tonight
Don't close your eyes
Don't close your eyes
Let it be me
Don't pretend it's him
In some fantasy
Darling just once
Let yesterday go
You'll find more love
Than you've ever known
Just hold me tight
When you love me tonight
And don't close your eyes
Maybe I've been a fool
Holding on all this time
Lyin ' here in your arms
Knowing he's in your mind
But I keep hoping some day
That you'll see the light
Let it be me tonight
Don't close your eyes
[Chorus]
[Repeat Chorus]
Just hold me tight
When you love me tonight
And don't close your eyes
I wandered so aimless my heart filled with sin
I wouldn't let my dear Savior in
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise the Lord I saw the light
I saw the light I saw the light
No more darkness no more night
Now I'm so happy no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord I saw the light
Just like a blind man I wandered alone
Worries and fears I claimed for my own
Then like the blind man that God gave back his sight
Praise the Lord I saw the light
[Chorus]
I was a fool who wandered and strayed
But straight is the gate and narrow is the way
Now I have traded the wrong for the right
Praise the Lord I saw the light
There's a dark and a troubled side of life
There's a bright and a sunny side too
Though we meet with the darkness and strife
The sunny side we also may view
Keep on the sunny side always on the sunny side
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us every day it will brighten all our way
If we keep on the sunny side of life
Oh the storm and its fury broke today
Crushing hopes that we cherish so dear
The clouds and storm will in time pass away
The sun again will shine bright and clear
Let us greet with a song of hope each day
Though the moment be cloudy or fair
Let us trust in our Savior always
To keep us every one in His care
There's a big hollow tree down the road here from me
Where you lay down a dollar or two
You stroll 'round the bend and you come back again
There's a jug full of good old mountain dew
They call it that mountain dew
And them that refuse it are few
I'll hush up my mug if you fill up my jug
With that good old mountain dew
My uncle Mort, he's sawed off and short
He measures about four foot two
But he thinks he's a giant when you give him a pint
Of that good old mountain dew
Well, my old aunt June bought some brand new perfume
If had such a sweet smelling pew
But to her surprise when she had it analyzed
It was nothing but good old mountain dew
Well, my brother Bill's got a still on the hill
Where he runs off a gallon or two
The buzzards in the sky get so drunk they can't fly
From smelling that good old mountain dew
I know your life
On earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You were no stranger to the rain
Go rest high on that mountain
Son, you work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin '
Love for the Father and Son
Oh, how we cried the day you left us
We gathered round your grave to grieve
I wish I could see the angels faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing
Go rest high on that mountain
Son, you work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin '
Love for the Father and Son
It's been ten long years since I left my home
In the hollow where I was born
Where the cool fall nights make the wood smoke rise
And the foxhunter blows his horn
I fell in love with a girl from the town
I thought that she would be true
I ran away to Charlottesville
And worked in a sawmill or two
What have they done to the old home place
Why did they tear it down
And why did I leave the plow in the field
And look for a job in the town
Well my girl she ran off with somebody else
The taverns took all my pay
And here I stand where the old home stood
Before they took it away
Now the geese they fly south and the cold wind blows
As I stand here and hang my head
I've lost my love I've lost my home
And now I wish that I was dead
The longest train I ever saw
Went down that Georgia line
The engine passed at six o'clock
And the cab passed by at nine
In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun never shines
And we shiver when the cold wind blows
I asked my captain for the time of day
He said he throwed his watch away
A long steel rail and a short cross tie
I'm on my way back home
Little girl, little girl, what have I done
That makes you treat me so
You caused me to weep, you caused me to mourn
You caused me to leave my home
My father was an engineer
Died a mile out of town
His head was found in the driving gear
But his body was never found
Oh, bury me beneath the willow
Under the weeping willow tree
So she will know where I am sleeping
And perhaps she'll weep for me
My heart is sad I am lonely
For the only one I love
When shall I see her oh no never
'Til we meet in heaven above
She told me that she dearly loved me
How could I believe it untrue
Until the angels softly whispered
She will prove untrue to you
Tomorrow was to be our wedding
God oh God where can she be
She's out a courting with another
And no longer cares for me
Oh the people would come from far away
They'd dance all night till the break of day
When the caller hollered "do-se-do"
You knew Uncle Pen was ready to go
Late in the evening about sundown
High on the hill and above the town
Uncle Pen played the fiddle lord how it would ring
You could hear it talk, you could hear it sing
He played an old piece he called "Soldier's Joy"
And the one called "The Boston Boy"
The greatest of all was "Jenny Lynn"
To me that's where the fiddle begins
I'll never forget that mournful day
When Uncle Pen was called away
They hung up his fiddle, they hung up his bow
They knew it was time for him to go
Sad I sit on Buttermilk Hill
Who can blame me cry my fill?
And every tear could turn a mill
Johnny has gone for a soldier
Me O My I loved him so
Broke my heart to see him go
And only time will heal my woe
Johnny has gone for a soldier
I'd sell my clock I'd sell my reel
Likewise I'd sell my spinning wheel
To buy my love a sword of steel
Johnny has gone for a soldier
I was alone in sin's dark valley
I had no hope, no peace within
I didn't know God's love could mean so much to me
Then one day I felt that heavenly visitation
now I know down in my heart he'll ever be
I'm so glad that he found me
and brought me out of sin's dark valley
with tender hands, he lifted me from up above
and he gave me a mansion, so that I could live forever
now I know I couldn't do without his love
Mando break
So many times the devil tempts me
and he says I can't go on
that there's no use, I can't reach that home above
and then I go back to the time when Jesus found me
and he placed down in my heart, his perfect love
I'm so glad that he found me
and brought me out of sin's dark valley
with tender hands, he lifted me from up above
and he gave me a mansion, so that I could live forever
now I know I couldn't do without his love
(Vocals only - first two lines)
I'm so glad that he found me
and brought me out of sin's dark valley
with tender hands, he lifted me from up above
and he gave me a mansion, so that I could live forever
now I know I couldn't do without his love
Tempted and tried we're oft made to wonder
Why it should be thus all the day long
While there are others living about us,
Never molested tho' in the wrong
Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up, my SISTER live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by
When death has come and taken our loved ones
It leaves our home so lonely and drear
Then do we wonder why others prosper
Living so wicked year after year
Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up, my BROTHER live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by
When we see Jesus coming in glory
When He comes from His home in the sky
Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion
We'll understand it all by and by
Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up, my SISTER live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by
And now to God I will return
I know m time is drawing near
Let memories that bless and burn
Heal your hearts with tears
Fear not for me my cherished friends
I do not walk this road alone
I long to leave this earthly life
And take my journey home
My loved one wait upon the shore
Their dear faces I can see
They beckon me to join them there
“Come Home” they call to me
I see the light around the throne
I hear the angels sweetly sing
And as I break these mortal chains
I feel my soul take wing
And now to God I will return
I know my time is drawing near
Let memories that bless and burn
Heal your hearts with tears
Let memories that bless and burn - Heal your heart with tears.
Summertime,
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high
Your daddy's rich
And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry
One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky
But till that morning
There's a'nothing can harm you
With daddy and mamma standing by
Summertime,
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high
Your daddy's rich
And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry