Way down in Harlan County   On a cold and lonesome night   A tormented man with a gun in his hand   Went searching for his wife      When he found her in another's arms   She began to scream and cry   As he put the gun to his own head   Said,"It's time for me to die"      Her lover begged forgiveness   From that woman's man   I swear to you she never wore   A ring upon her hand      Her husband took a letter   From his canvas overcoat   Then before their eyes he killed himself   And here is what he wrote