On top of yan' mountain, I wandered alone
Drunk as the devil and a long ways from home
Rye whiskey, Rye whiskey I cry
If I don't get rye whiskey I surely will die
I went on yan' mountain, I sat on a log
My liquor jug beside me and sicker than a dog
Poor drunkard, poor drunkard how bad I do feel
Poor drunkard, poor drunkard how bad I do feel
I'm-a goin' on yan' mountain, I'll build me a still
I'll make you a gallon for a two-dollar bill
Poor drunkard, poor drunkard how bad I do feel
Poor drunkard, poor drunkard how bad I do feel
If the ocean was whiskey, and I was a duck
I'd dive to the bottom and drank my way up
Rye whiskey, Rye whiskey I cry
If I don't get rye whiskey I surely will die