The code of the mountains, way down in the backwoods
The code of the mountains, the unwritten law
There Harry and Joe Brown, way down in the backwoods
There Harry and Joe Brown, shot Charlie Mcbraw

They caught him at daybreak, way down in the backwoods
They caught him at daybreak, down on his knees
He pleaded for mercy, way down in the backwoods
He pleaded for mercy, heed to my pleas

Said Harry to Charlie, way down in the backwoods
Said Harry to Charlie, you thought you were sly
The code of the mountains, way down in the backwoods
The code of the mountains, says you must die

He loaded his rifle, way in the backwoods
He loaded his rifle, Joe loaded up too
One shot and another, wat down in the backwoods
The code of the mountains, is the only law there

They buried poor Charlie, way down in the backwoods
They buried poor Charlie, without any prayer
The code of the mountains, way down in the backwoods
The code of the mountains, is the only law there

Deep in the earth now, down in the backwoods
Deep in the earth now, lies Charlie Mcgraw
For the code of the mountains, way down in the backwoods
The code of the mountains is the unwritten law