Troubles up and down the road,
And trials all the way around;
Never knew what trouble was,
'Til my darling threw me down.
With nothing but old ragged clothes,
My heart strings broken to shreds;
Blues creepin' over my body,
Queer notions flyin' to my head.
If ever I meet that girl again,
Our troubles will all be o'er;
I'll steal her out away from home,
We will sail for some foreign shore.
When my worldly trials are over,
And my last goodbye I've said;
Bury me near my darling's doorstep,
Where the roses bloom and fade.
My pockets are all empty,
Like they've often been before;
If I ever reach my home again,
I'll walk these ties no more.
The easiest thing I ever done,
Was lovin' and drinkin' wine;
The hardest thing I ever done,
Was workin' out a judge's fine.
The cheapest thing I ever done,
Was sleepin' out amongst the pines;
The hardest thing I ever tried,
Was keeping pork chops off of my mind.
Have never worked for pleasure,
Peace on earth I cannot find;
The only thing I surely own,
Is a worried and troubled mind.
If wine and women don't kill me,
There's one more plan to find;
Soak up the old rub alcohol,
Ease these troubles all off of my mind.