This is the classic, quintessential song about Appalachia and it bears all of the stylistic hallmarks of the Scotch-Irish people who settled in the area. Clingman’s Dome could be the source of the subject matter since it was also known as “Smoky Dome” but the exact location of the mountain may be lost to antiquity. Do you remember all the lyrics, if not, here we go…
“On top of Old Smokey,
All covered with snow,
I lost my true lover,
For courting too slow.
“On top of old smoky
I went there to weep
And a false-hearted lover,
Is worse than a thief.
“A thief will just rob you,
And take what you have,
But a false-hearted lover,
Will lead you to your grave.
“The grave will decay you,
And turn you to dust,
Not one boy in a hundred
A poor girl can trust.
“They’ll hug you and kiss you,
And tell you more lies,
Than crossties on a railroad,
Or stars in the sky.
“So come ye young maidens,
And listen to me,
Never place your affection
In a green willow tree.
“For the leaves they will wither,
The roots they will die,
And you’ll be forsaken,
And never know why.”
There is a wonderful version of Hank Williams performing this classic – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCW7qXyPAjo