May I sleep in your barn tonight, mister
It's so cold lying out on the ground
And the cold north wind is a whistling
And I have no place to lie down
Now I have no tobacco nor matches
And I'm sure I can cause you no harm
I will tell you my story kind, mister
For it runs through my heart like a storm
It was three years ago just last summer
I shall never forget that sad day
When a stranger came out from the city
And said that he wanted to stay
Now the stranger was fair tall and handsome
And he looked like a man who had wealth
And he wanted to stay in the country
Said he wanted to stop for his health
One night as I came from my workshop
I was whistling and singing with joy
I expected a kind hearty welcome
From my sweet loving wife and my boy
But what did I find but a letter
It was placed in my room on the stand
And the moment my eyes fell upon it
I picked it right up in my hand
Now this note said my wife and the stranger
Had left and had taken my son
Oh, I wonder if God up in heaven
Only knows what this stranger has done
May I sleep in your barn tonight, mister
It's so cold lying out on the ground
And the cold north wind is a whistling
And I have no place to lie down