It's been ten long years since I left my home
In the hollow where I was born
Where the cool fall nights makes the wood smoke rise (glow bright?)
And the fox hunter blows his horn

I feel 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 crew*.

Refrain:
What have you done to the old home place
Why did they tear it down
And why did I leave the plow in the fields
And look for the job in the town

Well the girl 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 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

* Refrain