—Traditional
Chorus:
Short life of trouble
A few more words to part
Short life of trouble dear girl
For a boy with a broken heart
Remember what you promised
Not more than a week ago
You promised that you'd marry me
Standing in your mama's door
Now you've gone and left me
I don't know what I'll do
I'd give this world and half of my life
Just to be married to you
Now you've broken your promise
Go marry whom you may
In this old world so big and so wide
I'll ramble back some day
My right foot's on the platform
My left foot's on the train
I'm leaving you and this lonesome old town
To never return again
3/4
Verse:
| I | I | IV | I |
| IV | I | I – V | I |
| I | I | IV | I |
| IV | I | I – V | I |