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-6   6 5    -4   4     7    8
Ah, Lilly, dear, it grieves me

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The tale I have to tell.

4    5 6    7  -8   8 -8
Ole Massa sends me roamin'

-7  -8 -8   6   -7    7
So, Lilly, fare-you-well.

-6  6    5  -4   4    7   8
Oh,fare-you-well my true love,

 -8  7    -6    6  5 4
Farewell, old Tennessee.

  4   5  6   7   -8  8    -8
Then let me weep for you love,

 7 -8   8   6   -7   7
But do not weep for me.

Chorus

 6   6   -6 6  7 8 -8   7 -8  8
Farewell forever to old Tennessee.

 7  -7   -6  6 7    8
Farewell my Lilly, dear.

-8     7   -7  7   
Don't weep for me.

I'm goin'ta roam the wide world 
in lands I've never hoed.
With nothin' but my banjo 
to cheer me on the road.
For when Im sad and weary, 
I'll make the banjo play,
To 'mind me of my true love 
when I am far away.

I wake up in the mornin' 
and walk out on the farm;
Oh, Lilly is a darlin;.  
She takes me by the arm.
We wander through the clover 
down by the river side.
I tell her that I love her 
and she must be my bride.

Oh, Lilly, dear, 'tis mournful 
to leave you here alone.
You'll smile before I leave you 
and weep when I am gone.
The sun can never shine, love, 
so bright for you and me,
As when I worked beside you 
in good ole Tennessee.