Just like the night
You took the light
And stole away
Behind the trees
Such a little fight
For such a frenzied flight
You stole away
Behind the trees
Behind the trees is where they found you
Behind the trees is where you lay
Behind the trees in the heather
Your hair scattered like some torn bird feathers, Mae
Behind the trees and off into the night
With the morning light
Came such an awful sight
You torn and twisted
Behind the trees
Like a wayward kite
Came the sheriff's lights
And you torn and twisted
Behind the trees
Through his deputy
The sheriff, he told me
"Hey, boy, you're looking at life"
I said, "Oh, god, man
You got the wrong man
I never touched a hair on the head of my wife"
He said, "I guess we'll have to wait and see
Leave it to the people of Harlan County
Let them decided if you're to be free"
I said, "I ain't got the money
For no high-class attorney, buddy
We'll just have to wait and see"