One night it was dark and 'twas stormy And along came a tramp in the rain He was making his way to some station To catch a long distance train. May I sleep in your barn tonight mister It is cold lying out on the ground And the cold north wind it is blowing And I have no place to lie down. Oh I have no tobacco or matches And I'm sure that I'll do you no harm I will tell you my story kind mister For it runs through my heart like a thorn. It was three years ago last summer I shall never forget that sad day When a stranger came out from the city And said that he wanted to stay. One night as I came from my workshop I was whistling and singing with joy I expected a kind hearted welcome From my sweet loving wife and my boy. But what should I find I find but a letter It was placed in the room on the stand And the moment my eyes fell upon it I picked it right up in my hand. Now this note said my wife and the stranger They had left and had taken my son Oh I wonder if God up in Heaven Only knows what this stranger has done