(verse 1)
There were no cuckoos, no sycamores.
We played about the forest floor
underneath the silver maples,
the balsams and the sky.
(verse 2)
We popped the heads off dandelions,
assuming roles from nursery rhymes.
Rested on the riverbank,
and grew up by and by.
And grew up by and by
(bridge)
Frail my heart apart,
and play me a little Shady Grove.
Ring the bells of rhymney,
til they ring inside my head forever.
Bounce the bow, rock the gallows
for the hangman's reel.
And wake the devil from his dre-eeee-eam
I'm goin back to Harlan, oh oh oh oh
I'm goin back to Harlan, oh oh oh oh
I'm going back to Harlan
(verse 3)
And if you were Willie Moore
and I was Barbara Allen,
or Fair Ellen all sad at the cabin door
a-weeping and a-pinin' for love.
(repeat bridge)
(repeat Chorus)
(repeat Chorus)
(repeat Chorus)