Way back when, on a muggy night
In the hills of Tennessee
I fell in love with a Knoxville girl
And she in love with me
And she in love with me

Long and tall like a drink of water
And made of raven hair
I'm headed north with my bonny lass
To make a new life there

Fare thee well, fare thee well
I'm northern bound
Fare thee well, fare thee well
Where chains are broken and lost are found

Branded a deserter
My face and name on every tree
We trade my gun for a smuggler's silence
On good ship Alice Dean
On the good ship Alice Dean

Three days and nights, then forty leagues
'Til we settle on our land
A plow against my shoulder
And the Good Book in my hand

Fare thee well, fare thee well
I'm northern bound
Fare thee well, fare thee well
Where chains are broken and lost are found

I've never felt a night so long
When they finally came for thee
Waiting in your Union blues
And our baby on my knee

Dry those tears, my darling dear
And don't you weep for me
For I've held the heart of my one true love
Now my Maker I will see
Now my Maker I will see

Fare thee well, fare thee well
I'm northern bound
Fare thee well, fare thee well
Where chains are broken and lost are found
Are found

Way back when, on a muggy night
In the hills of Tennessee
I fell in love with a Knoxville girl
Was she in love with me