[Intro] [Verse] I once met a girl by the old apple tree I smiled at her and she smiled back at me I asked her to walk with me along the beach I took her arm as we strolled by the sea I smiled at her and she smile back at me [Verse 2] She told me her father did live by the gun And if he saw me she said I should run I saw him comin as I turned around So I ran away to the heart of the town And bought me a gun to shoot that man down [Verse 3] Late in the night by the old apple tree I met that girl and she promised to me That she’d always love till her dyin’ day I truly believed every word she would say I held her tightly then she walked away [Solo] [Verse 4] I knew that her father had spoken bout me And his daughter’s wishes he could not agree He came after me cause he wanted me dead So I pulled out my pistol and blew off his head He lay on the ground and I filled him with lead [Verse 5] The neighbors heard gunshot a-rain in the night When they came and got me I put up no fight I could have been hung from the old apple tree It was self-defense so it never would be So I beat the noose and I walked away free [Verse 6] I’m still around and my girl’s by my side I beat the noose it’s not time yet to die And what a bright mornin’ light shines down on me My girl she will marry yes marry me We’ll live in the house by the old apple tree