Roane Country Prison Lyrics - Bill Monroe

In the beautiful hills in the mists of Roane County 

There's where I have roamed for many long years 

There's where my heart's been tendin most ever 

There's where the first step of misfortune I made 

It's about thirty years when I courted and married 

Armanda Gilbraith I'd soon call my wife 

My brother he stabbed me for some unknown reason 

Just three month's later I'd taken Tom's life 

I was captured and tried in the village of Kingston 

Not a man in that county would speak one kind word 

When the jury came in with the verdict next mornin' 

A lifetime in prison was the words that I heard 

When the train pulled out poor Mother stood weepin' 

And sister she sat all alone with a sigh 

And the last words I heard was "Willy God bless you" 

Was "Willy God bless you God bless you goodbye" 

In the scorching hot sand of the foundry I'm workin' 

Toiling and working 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 

Poort Martha was grave, but Corey was better 

There's better and worse, although you may see 

Boys when you write home from this prison in Nashville 

Place one of my songs in your letter for me