Poor Ellen Smith how was she found Shot through the heart lying cold on the ground Her clothers were all scattered and thrown on the ground And blood marks the spot where poor Ellen was found They picked up their rifles and hunted me down And found me a loafing all around town They picked up the body and carried it away And now she is sleeping in some lonesome old grave I got a letter yesterday and I read it today The flowers on her grave have all faded away Some day I'll go home and say when I go On poor Ellen's grave pretty flowers I'll sow I've been in this prison for twenty long years Each night I see Ellen through my bitter tears The warden just told me that soon I'll be free To go to her grave near that old willow tree My days in this prison are ending at last I'll never be free from the sins of my past Poor Ellen Smith how was she found Shot through the heart lying cold on the ground