Way down in Harlan County
On a cold and lonesome night
A tormented man with a gun in his hand
Went searching for his wife
When he found her in another's arms
She began to scream and cry
As he put the gun to his own head,
Said it's time for me to die
Her lover begged forgiveness
From that woman's man
I swear to you, she never wore
A ring upon her hand
Her husband took a letter
From his canvas overcoat
Then before their eyes he killed himself
And here is what he wrote