I started out from Memphis with two dollars and a dime,
I started out from Memphis, boys, with two dollars and a dime,
But I landed in old Hazard, boys, I did not have a shine —
Lord, Ive been all around this world.
I went to work on the railroad, boys, the mud up to my knees,
I went to work on the railroad, boys, the mud up to my knees.
The boss come round to boss me, boys, I done just as I pleased —
God knows, I been all round this world.
I went up to the Midway Inn with money to shoot some dice,
I went up to the Midway Inn with money to shoot some dice.
They took from me my money, boys, I begged them for my life —
God knows, Ive been all around this world.
The new railroad is finished, boys, the cars are on the track,
The new railroad is finished, boys, the cars are on the track.
My doney girl has left me, boys, I know that she wont come back —
God knows, Ive been all around this world.
I went to the Blue Ridge Mountains and therell Ill take my stand,
I went to the Blue Ridge Mountains, boys, and there Ill take my stand,
With a rifle on my shoulder, boys, and a six-shooter in my hands —
God knows, Ive been all around this world.
The officers came and arrested me and they take me down to jail,
The officers came and arrested me and they take me down to jail.
They said to me, Old fellow, now you know youre allowed no bail. —
God knows, Ive been all around this world.
They take me to the court house, boys, and there I had a crowd,
They take me to the court house, boys, and there I had a crowd.
The sentence was to hang me and leave my wife and child —
God knows, Ive been all around this world.
The sentence was to hang me, well I dont care if you do,
The sentence was to hang me, well I dont care if you do.
But look out boys, when you hang me, its liable to injure you —
God knows, Ive been all around this world.
Father and mother, boys, and little sister make three,
Father and mother, boys, and little sister make three,
Came weeping to the gallows, boys, and see the last of me —
God knows, Ive been all around this world.
You all can sing this song, boys, when I am dead and gone,
You all can sing this song, boys, when I am dead and gone.
Just think about old Justus, boys, they sung it fore he was gone —
God knows, but he went all around this world.
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Up on the Blue Ridge mountain, there Ill take my stand
Up on the Blue Ridge mountain, there Ill take my stand
A rifle on my shoulder, six-shooter in my hand
Lord, Lord, Ive been all around this world
Lulu, my Lulu, come and open the door
Lulu, my Lulu, come and open the door
Before I have to walk on in with my old forty-four
Lord, Ive been all around this world
Mama and papa, little sister makes three
Mama and papa, little sister makes three
Theyre coming in the morning, thats the last youll see of me
Lord, lord, Ive been all around this world
Hang me, oh hang me, so Ill be dead and gone
Hang me, oh hang me, so Ill be dead and gone
I wouldnt mind your hanging boys, but you wait in jail so long
Lord, Ive been all around this world
Up on the Blue Ridge mountain, there Ill take my stand
Up on the Blue Ridge mountain, there Ill take my stand
A rifle on my shoulder, six-shooter in my hand
Lord, Lord, Ive been all around this world