Lyrics:

Kind friends you have heard the story,

And the song called Twenty One Years,

All of how two lovers parted,

Of their sorrow, pain and tears.



I am another who’s heartbroken,

And I’m in this lonesome jail;

I was the honest ranger,

Tried for fame but soon I failed.



I was a cowboy singer,

And I played the old guitar,

But my mind was set on roaming,

I started out for lands a-far.



Soon fell with bad companions,

And we robbed the Western mail;

Shot and killed some helpless lady,

as i think my face grows pale.



I had a pretty sweet heart,

and she though the world of me,

But we parted at the station,

Down in sunny Tennessee.



Last night from her I got a letter,

Saying, “I can never be your bride;?

As the moon shone though my window,

I bowed my head and cried.



Never more we’ll stroll together;

Down in dear old Lover’s Lane,

I must spend my life in prison,

I pray on high we’ll meet again.