I left my home in the year of '21 Blamed for the killin', a crime I had not done I'll live no more in Texas but the hills of Tennessee Goodbye wife and children, never more to see On the banks of the river a shepherd's wages paid Shelter food and clothing, honest work each day At night I hear their voices sayin' "where have you gone? Pa we're cold and hungry, don't let us be alone." But I cannot go back, I'll not return There's a hangman waiting, a sheriff's warrant served And if I was a freeman in the state that I was born I'd go home to Texas never more to roam In the seventh season the fates came to me Sayin' "your love has remarried and you must let her be The children they are taken care though never you will see." Damn the man who cursed that land, never I'll be free But I cannot go back, I'll not return There's a hangman waiting, a sheriff's warrant served And if I was a freeman in the state that I was born I'd go home to Texas never more to roam Sunshine stirrin', youth but a memory A letter came to my door though I could not read Said "the man who done the killin', he has now confessed Truth came from a death bed, your case is now dismissed." But I cannot go back, I'll not return There's no one waiting, memories unearned And if I was a young man in the state that I was born I'd go home to Texas never more to roam I'd go home to Texas never more to roam