Come, love come, the road lies low
The way is long and hard I know
Come, love come, the road lies free
I'll wait for you in Tennessee

When I was four, my loving mam
Was cornered by the boss's man
She turned her head, and got struck down
They buried her in the cold, cold ground

Come, love come, the road lies low
The way is long and hard I know
Come, love come, the road lies free
I'll wait for you in Tennessee

When I was twelwe, my father dear
Was strong of arm and free of fear
Until the day he raised his hand
Then he was sold to Alabam'

Come, love come, the road lies low
The way is long and hard I know
Come, love come, the road lies free
I'll wait for you in Tennessee

When I was sixteen, found my bloom
And found my man, we jumped the broom
We pledged each other the rest of our lives
And on Saturday nights we were man and wife

Come, love come, the road lies low
The way is long and hard I know
Come, love come, the road lies free
I'll wait for you in Tennessee

When I was eighteen, bugles called
And boys in blue came o'er the wall
I took my chance, and followed free
They led the way to Tennessee

Come, love come, the road lies low
The way is long and hard I know
Come, love come, the road lies free
I'll wait for you in Tennessee

So here I sit, in a tiny shack
With thirteen others at my back
I've sent you word, so all I can do
Is wait, and wait, and wait for you

Come, love come, the road lies low
The way is long and hard I know
Come, love come, the road lies free
I'll wait for you in Tennessee

I'll wait for you
I'll wait for you
I'll wait for you
I'll wait for you