I once had a true love, her name was Maggie Brown
Her eyes they were the color of the sun burning down
And she had hair that smelled like jasmine, I loved her from the start
How was I to know shed have a cold black heart
Well Maggie was my true love, the only kiss I knew
Id meet her at the oak tree in the cool evening dew
Where we would walk beside the levee our fingers intertwined
While the crimson moon gazed through the needles of the pines
Wed lay beside each other, staring at the sky
Listenin to the whistlin of the train blowin by
As it was on its way to Macon The town where I was born
Wed make love in the darkness, til the hours of the morn
Waterfalls and rainbows, sweet salvation sin
As I lay there sleeping against her golden skin,
My friends now gather around and listen close
The story takes a turn I wasnt fair young Maggies only lover I did learn
I went down by the oak tree lookin for my lass
And walked east towards the levee with the sunset in my past
And then I ran through briars and brambles, until I finally found
my Maggie and her true love there lyin on the ground
My eyes they filled with fire, they didnt see me there
I watched as she made love to him, caressed him with her hair
I dont remember how it happened I guess I just saw red
I drew my pistol from my belt and shot them graveyard dead
I once loved a maiden her name was Maggie Brown
But now Im riding on a boxcar back to Macon town
The setting sun will never let me forget what deed I have done
Until the day they hunt me down,
Im livin on the run