You ask what makes this darky weep
Why he like the others, am not gay
What makes the tears roll down his cheeks
From early morn til close of day.
My story, darkies, you shall hear
For in my memory fresh it dwells
It will call each one to shed a tear
O’er the grave of my sweet Kitty Wells.
The sun was shining on the hilltop
The myrtle and the ivy was in bloom
The birds were mating in the treetops
It was then we laid her in the tomb.
I never can forget the day
That we together roamed the dell
I kissed her cheeks, she named the day
That I would marry Kitty Wells.
But death came to her cabin door
And took from me my joy and pride
And when I found she was no more
I lay my banjo down and cried.
The sun was shining on the mountain
The myrtle and the ivy was in bloom
The birds was mating in the treetops
It was then we laid her in the tomb.
The springtime has no charm for me
Every day I wish that I was dead
That I lay beside her in the tomb
Then this sorrow that has broken my heart
Would end in solemn midnight bloom.
And the breeze was groaning in the wildwood.
The myrtle and the ivy was in bloom
The sun was shining on the mountain.
It was then we laid her in the tomb.