Standard (EADGBE)

There is a house in this old town,

Where my true love lays around,

Well, he (she) takes other women (men) right down on his (her) knee,

And he (she) tells them a little tale that he (she) won't tell me.

Chorus

It's hard and it's hard, ain't it hard,

To love one that never did love you.

It's hard and it's hard, ain't it hard, great God,

To love one that never will be true.

Well, the first time that I seen my true love,

He (she) was a-walkin' past my door,

And the last time I seen his (her) false-hearted smile,

He (she) was dead on his (her) coolin' board.

Chorus

Now don't go to drinkin' and a-gamblin'

Don't go there your sorrows to drown,

That hard liquor place is a low-down disgrace,

It's the meanest damn place in this town.

Chorus

Now who's a-gonna kiss your ruby lips,

And who's a-gonna hold you to their breast,

Who's a-gonna talk the future over,

While I'm a-ramblin' in the West?

Chorus