I once had a true love
Her name was Maggie Brown
Her eyes they were the color
Of the sun burning downAnd she had hair that smelled like jasmine
I loved her from the start
How was I to know she'd have
A cold black heartWell, Maggie was my true love
The only kiss I knew
I'd meet her at the oak tree
In the cool evening dewWhere we would walk beside the levee
Our fingers intertwined
While the crimson moon gazed through
The needles of the pinesWe'd lay beside each other
Staring at the sky
Listenin' to the whistlin'
Of the train blowin' byAs it was on it's way to Macon
The town where I was born
We'd make love in the darkness
'Til the hours of the mornWaterfalls and rainbows
Sweet salvation sin
As I lay there sleeping
Against her golden skinMy friends now gather around
And listen close the story takes a turn
I wasn't fair young Maggie's
Only lover I did learnI went down by the oak tree
Lookin' for my lass
And walked east towards the levee
With the sunset in my pastAnd then I ran through briers and brambles
Until I finally found
My Maggie and her true love
There lyin' on the groundMy eyes they filled with fire
They didn't see me there
I watched as she made love to him
Caressed him with her hairI don't remember how it happened
I guess I just saw red
I drew my pistol from my belt
And shot them graveyard deadI once loved a maiden
Her name was Maggie Brown
But now I'm riding on a boxcar
Back to Macon townThe setting sun will never let me forget
What deed I have done
Until the day they hunt me down
I'm livin' on the run