ON  TOP  OF  OLD  SMOKEY

Traditional  American
​
ACCORDION (BUTTON) NOTATION
Beats per bar = 3   (waltz)
Beat symbol =  Dot  ( . ) or equivalent
Either row (low)   =  Buttons 3 to 6

​Verse 1 (of 8 or more)

 .3    |   .3     .4      .5     |    .:6                |    .:5*~              | ~:
On      top   of    old       smok______  -    ey________    ______
o3        o4   o3    o3          o4   o3    o3       i4*   i3*   i3*    i4*   i3*

 .5*   |    .4*     .5       .5*    |    .:5~             | ~.:~              | ~:
All       cov - ered  with      snow______   __________    ______
i3*         i4*     o3     i3*          o4   o3   o3    o4   o3   o3     o4   o3

.3    |   .3     .4     .5    |   .:5                  |   .:3*~                 | ~:
  I       lost  my  true      lov_______   -    er_________   ________
o3       o4    o3    o3       o4   o3   o3        o4*   o3*   o3*    o4*   o3*

   .4    |     .4*     .4     .3*   |   .:3~              | ~.:~                 | ~:    
From    court - ing   too     slow______   ___________    _______
   o3         i4*     o3    o3*       o4   o3   o3      o4   o3   o3     o4   o3
​

The first note(s) at beginning of line 4 are
simplified in this version for beginners  practicing
the “3 beats / bar” (bass-chord-chord) pattern.
​Embedded youTube VIDEOS
Fourteen videos in the keys:   A=3    C=4     D=2     E=1    F=1     G=2
These videos contain many different arrangements of lyrics, and some differences in tempo and rhythm.  Most are sung to the same melody, as given above for the button accordion.
Key:  A

​Tempo:  ~130 bpm

Singer:  Kate Smith

​Posted by:  Kate Smith - Topic

​Instrumental - guitar
Key:  A

​Tempo:  ~155 bpm

Singer:  Rex Allen

​Posted by:  Rex Allen - Topic
Key:  A

​Tempo:  ~135 bpm

Group:   Abba

Posted by:  Apostollis T.

This ABBA performance consists of a number of repeats the first two verses.
Key:   C

​Tempo:  ~160 bpm

Singer:   Wilf Carter

​Posted by:  WilfCarterFan

​
Key:  C

Singer:  Charles Szabo

Posted by:  SZABO MUSIC
Key:  C

​Tempo:  ~100 bpm?

Singer:  Michael Sundell

​Posted by:  Michael Sundell
Key:  C

​Tempo:  ~85 bpm?

Guitarist:  Duane Eddy

Posted by:  Duane Eddy - Topic

Guitar Instrumental - Nice and slow, great for the beginner to play along with.
Key:  D

​Tempo:  ~75 bpm ?

Group:  Mitch Miller &
             The Sing-Along Gang

Posted by:  Mitch Miller & 
​                  The Sing-Along Gang - Topic
​
Key:   D

​Tempo:  ~135 bpm 

Singer:  Matthew Sabatella

Posted by:  Matthew Sabatella - Topic

Uses six of the verses given on this page (below);  last two are different.
Key:   D

​Tempo:  ~75 bpm ?

Group:  Chisholm Trailers

Posted by:  Chisholm Trailers - Topic

Violin and Piano Instrumental.

Covers four verses.
​
Key:  E

Tempo:  ~95 bpm

Singer:  Odetta

​Posted by:  ​Odetta - Topic

Truly beautiful rendition!
​
​Odetta Holmes (1930 – 2008), was an American singer, actress, guitarist, lyricist, and a civil and human rights activist, often referred to as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement". (wikipedia)
Key:   F

​Temp;o:  ~150 bpm

Singer:  Don Bailey

​Posted by:  ​Don Bailey - Topic

Includes seven of the eight verses given below.
Key:   G

​Tempo:  ~155 bpm
​
Singers:   Ernest ?
                 Sarah ?

​Posted by:  ​bidyyy

Bluegrass sound.
Key:   G

Tempo:  ~115 bpm

Pianist:  ?

​Posted by:  ​musicalintentions

Piano Instrumental.

This video is intended for the beginner piano student, and is fairly easy to play along with on the button accordion.
Background Materials, Information & Links
​Lyrics:
On top of old smokey
All covered with snow
I lost my true lover
For a courtin' too slow

For courting's a pleasure
And parting is grief
But a false-hearted lover
Is worse than a thief

For a thief will just rob you
And take all you have
But a false-hearted lover
Will lead you to the grave

And the grave will decay you
And turn you to dust
And where is the lover
​A poor one can trust

They'll hug you and kiss you
And tell you more lies
Than the cross-ties on a railroad
Or the stars in the skies

They'll tell you they love you
Just to give your heart ease
But the minute your back's turned
They'll court whom they please

Come all you young lovers
And listen to me
Never place your affections
On a green willow tree

For the leaves they will wither
And the roots they will die
You'll all be forsaken
And never know why

There are many other verses (including parodies)
An extra verse (her & him versions) for those who prefer a happier ending:

So if you have a true love                            So if you have a true love
Who will stand by your side                        Who'll hold onto your hand
He'll love you forever                                    She'll love you forever
And make you his bride                                And make you her man

​
Background Links:
Click HERE for additional info about this song.  (Wikipedia)