E                    B
When first unto this country
  A          E
A stranger I came
  A         B    E
I courted a fair maid
    A             E
And Nancy was her name

[Verse 2]
E                    B
I courted her for love
  A          E
Her love I didn't obtain
  A         B    E
Do you think I've any reason
    A             E
Or right to complain

[Verse 3]
E                    B
I rode to see my Nancy
  A          E
I rode both night and day
  A         B    E
I stoled a fine stallion
    A             E
From Colonel Charles Grey

[Verse 4]
E                    B
I rode to see my Nancy
  A          E
I rode both day and night
  A         B    E
I courted fairest Nancy
    A             E
My own heart's true delight

[Verse 5]
E                    B
The sheriff's men they followed
  A          E
And overtaken me
  A         B    E
They carted me away
    A             E
To the penitentiary

[Verse 6]
E                    B
They opened up the door
  A          E
And then they threw me in
  A         B    E
They shaved off my hair
    A             E
And they cleared off my chin

[Verse 7]
E                    B
They beat me and they banged me
  A          E
And they fed me on dry beans
  A         B    E
'Til I wished to my own soul
    A             E
I'd never been a thief

[Verse 8]
E                    B
With my hands stuck in my pockets
  A          E
And my cap set on so bold
  A         B    E
My coat of many colors
    A             E
Like Joseph's of old

[Chorus]
E                    B
When first unto this country
  A          E
A stranger I came
  A         B    E
I courted a fair maid
    A             E
And Nancy was her name