This cruel country has driven me down Teased me and lied, teased me and lied I've only sad stories to tell to this town My dreams have withered and died Once I was bending the tops of the trees Kind words in my ear, kind faces to see Then I struck up with a boy from the west Played run and hide, played run and hide Count one to ten and he's gone with the rest My dreams have withered and died Silver moon sail up and silver moon shine On the waters so wide, waters so wide Steal from the bed of some good friend of mine My dreams are withered and died If I was a butterfly, live for a day I could be free, just blowing away This cruel country has driven me down Teased me and lied, teased me and lied I've only sad stories to tell to this town My dreams have withered and die