Carrie, darlin', Carrie, Carrie Brown, I cry
Though I didn't need a thing
And the judge says I must die
Believe I'd rather die, boys, believe I'd rather die
I walked around in Bristol town
If I can't marry Carrie Brown, believe I'd rather die
With a boy named Billy Wise
If I can't marry Carrie Brown, believe I'd rather die
And she lives in Bristol town"
Believe I'd rather die, boys, believe I'd rather die
I scarce believed my eyes
If I can't marry Carrie Brown, believe I'd rather die
And all I do is cry
And sunlight in her hair
I shot him in Virginia
And he died in Tennessee
I hung around till closin' time
I laid my last ten dollars down
For the love of Carrie Brown
Ain't never been to town
A heart that pined for Carrie Brown
Carrie, darlin', Carrie, Carrie Brown, I cry
I'd never seen her face before
‘Cause the jury found me guilty
A voice like spring rain fallin' down
Believe I'd rather die, boys, believe I'd rather die
They said, "Her daddy owns a grocery store
So I asked all around
Poor Billy Wise and me
My darlin' walkin' arm in arm
We met again on State Street
She was so young and fair
Believe I'd rather die, boys, believe I'd rather die
Just to touch sweet Carrie Brown
A bitter broken man
The first time I saw Carrie Brown
And a pistol in my hand
Now I'm down in the Bristol jail
And I've come to ruination
When she handed me my change
I'm just a poor young mountain boy
Carrie, darlin', Carrie, Carrie Brown, I cry
Carrie, darlin', Carrie, Carrie Brown, I cry
If I can't marry Carrie Brown, believe I'd rather die
