I once had a darlin’ wife kind, true, and sweet
Life was so bright and gay, everything complete
But I fell for another who led my life astray
So I’ll live in sorrow ’til my dyin’ day

A-down the highway of sorrow I’m travelin’ alone
I’ve lost all my true friends, I’ve lost a happy home
I’m heading for destruction, I’m on the wrong track
A-down the highway of sorrow there’s no turning back

I went back to my darlin’, I got down on my knees
I begged her with tear-dimmed eyes to give my poor heart ease
But she was hurt so deeply she could not forgive
So I’ll live in sorrow as I long as I live

[1] I once had a darlin’ wife [4] kind, true, and [1] sweet
Life was so bright and gay, everything comp-[5]-lete
But I [1] fell for another who [4] led my life a-[1]-stray
So I’ll live in sorrow ’til [5] my dyin’ [1] day

A-down the highway of sorrow I’m travelin’ alone
I’ve lost all my true friends, I’ve lost a happy home
I’m heading for destruction, I’m on the wrong track
A-down the highway of sorrow there’s no turning back

I went back to my darlin’, I got down on my knees
I begged her with tear-dimmed eyes to give my poor heart ease
But she was hurt so deeply she could not forgive
So I’ll live in sorrow as I long as I live