Classic Poem

“Down by the river, the willows grow tall,
Whippoorwill calling, hear their sad call.
Hear their sad call, dear, hear their sad call,
Down by the river hear their sad call.

“Here I am waiting, waiting for you,
Risking my life, dear, hoping you're true.
Hoping you're true, dear, hoping you're true,
Risking my life, dear, waiting for you.

“If you betray me, nothing can save
Here neath the willows, dig my poor grave;
Down by the river, the river so deep
Come to my grave, dear, sometimes and weep.”

Over the mountain comes his fair bride,
Knowing full well he's on the wrong side.
Knowing he's sworn to murder and kill
All of her kinsmen over the hill.

Over the river, the river so wide,
Horses are waiting, swiftly they ride.
Swiftly they ride, dear, swiftly they'll ride,
Over the line with a fair, stolen bride.

“Upon the mountain the laurel grows high,
Kinsmen are gathering, someone must die.
Someone must die, dear, loudly they swore,
Bullets are flying, hear the guns roar.

“Hear the guns roar, dear, swift you must flee,
Flee for your life, dear, leave them to me.”
“Leave you, no never, here will I die.”
Kinsmen surround them, hear the wind sigh.

Hear the fair maiden pleadingly say,
“Father, oh Father, spare him I pray.
Spare his sweet life and I'll go with you.
But if he must die, I can die too.”

“Traitors must die, dear,” said these stern men,
“You have betrayed your own blooded kin.
Kneel you both down, for nothing can save,
Here you shall rest, both in the same grave.”

Down by the river the willows grow tall,
Shadows are falling, whippoorwill call.
This is the tale he tells to his mate
How these young lovers met their sad fate.