On top of old smokey all covered with snow I lost my true lover by courting too slow Oh courting's a pleasure parting is grief And a false hearted lover is worse than a thief (but a thief he will just rob you and take what you say But a false hearted lover will send you to your grave) Hey'll hug you and kiss you and tell you more lies Than the crossties on the railroad or the stars in the skies Your grave will decay you and turn you to dust Not one boy in ten thousand a poor girl can trust On top of old smokey all covered with snow I lost my true lover by courting too slow