Caleb Meyer, he lived alone
In them hollarin' pines
He made a little whiskey for himself
Said it helped to pass the time
Late one evening in back of my house,
Caleb came around
He called my name 'til I came out
With no one else around
[Chorus]
Caleb Meyer, your ghost is gonna
Wear them rattlin' chains.
But when I go to sleep at night,
Don't you call my name
Where's your husband, Nellie Kane
Where's your husband gone?
Did he go down off the mountain side
And leave you all alone?
Yes, my husband's gone to Bowlin' Green
To do some business there.
Then Caleb threw that bottle down
And grabbed me by my hair.
[Chorus]
He threw me on the needle bed,
And on my dress he lay
He held my hands above my head
And I commenced to pray.
I cried My God, I am your child
Send your angels down
Then feelin' with my fingertips,
The bottle neck I found
I pulled that glass across his neck
As fine as any blade,
And I felt his blood run fast and hot
Around me where I laid.
[Chorus: x2]