It's a one-way ticket down a river of lies
There's gold in them hills I heard the man cry
But things are different now there's nothing I can do
Through scandal, through madness, through cold
It's a one-way ticket down a river of lies
The wild frontier outlaws and thieves
All I have left is this gray in my beard
And took my first step down my life
Tell dear mother that I miss her
There's gold in them hills for the taking
Broken my heart, diamonds and gold
There's gold in them hills
On the last day of spring I first saw the sea
Ready for riches, I rolled up my sleeve
Remember me when you stare at the moon
There's gold in them hills I heard the man cry
Your dark haired son is now long gone
There's gold in them hills if you make it
What's a country boy to do
Sixteen dollars, brand new shoes
There's gold in them hills for the taking
Empty bottles, sad turned daughters
There's gold in them hills
This mountain and the stories that I've told
There's gold in them hills if you make it
A poor boy with good luck on my side
To find me a mountain in the sky
Had my wallet, same old pocket