Hills Of Roan Country

HILLS OF ROAN COUNTRY Recorded by The Stanley Brothers Words and music by Carter Stanley & Ralph Stanley In the D beautiful hills, - way G back in Roan D County There's where I roamed - for E many long A7 years There's where my D heart's - been G tending most D ever There's where the first step of mis-{A7} fortune I D made. I was thirty years old - when I courted and married When Armanda Gilbreath - was then called my wife Her brother stabbed me - for some unknown reason Just three months later I'd taken Tom's life. For twenty five years - this whole world I rambled I went to old England, - to France and to Spain Then I thought of my home - way back in Roan Country I boarded a steamer and I come back again. I was captured and tried - in the village of Kingston Not man in this county - would speak one kind word When the jury came in - with a verdict next morning A lifetime in prison was the words that I heard. When the train pulled out - poor mother stood weepin' And sister she sat, - alone with a sigh And the last words I heard - was, "Willie God bless you." Was, "Willie, God Bless you, God bless you, goodbye." No matter what happens - to me in Roan Country No matter how long - my sentence may be I love my old home - way back in Roan Country It's a way back down in old East Tennessee. *In the scorching hot sand - by the foundry I'm working Toilin' and workin' - my poor life away They'll measure my grave - on the banks of old Cumberland Just as soon as I finish the rest of my days. Sweet Martha was buried, - but Corey was better There's better and worse - although you can see Boys when you write home - from the prison in Nashville Place one of my songs in your letter for me. *Additional verse.