Caleb Meyer, he lived alone
And he made a little whiskey for himself
Said it helped to pass the time
Long one evening in back of my house,
And he called my name 'til I came out
Caleb Meyer, your ghost is gonna
wear them rattlin' chains.
but when I go to sleep at night,
Where's your husband, Nellie Kane
Where's your darlin gone?
Did he go down off the mountain side
Yes, my husband's gone to Bowlin' Green
to do some business there.
Then Caleb threw that bottle down
and grabbed me by my hair.
Caleb Meyer, your ghost is gonna
wear them rattlin' chains.
but when I go to sleep at night,
He threw me in the needle bed,
he held my hands above my head
I cried My God, I am your child
Then feelin' with my fingertips,
I drew that glass across his neck
and I felt his blood pour fast and hot
Caleb Meyer, your ghost is gonna
wear them rattlin' chains.
But when I go to sleep at night,
Caleb Meyer, your ghost is gonna
wear them rattlin' chains.
But when I go to sleep at night,