Recorded by Ed Cirimele at the Pavilion at Redwood Estates in Los Gatos, CA on October 17, 1987. Features Dudley Connell, David McLaughlin, Tom Adams, Eddie Stubbs and Marshall Wilborn. Song composed by Dudley Connell. Song first issued by The Johnson Mountain Boys on the album “Walls Of Time” (Rounder 0160, 1982). Photo taken in Nacogdoches, TX on July 4, 1987 by Rick Gardner (L-R: David McLaughlin, Marshall Wilborn and Dudley Connell).
Lyrics from original 1982 studio version:
The road that winds back so deep in the mountains
It’s a lonesome old place now that you’re gone
The mistakes that I’ve made I still think about ‘em
As I come to the place I used to call home
Chorus:
There’s a small rocky path leads back from the home place
As I walk the last hill the wind seems to moan
Once again the moon shines and a tear rolls from my face
As I place a small rose on a weathered gray stone
The moon cuts a path through clouds in the heaven
It lights up the hills where we used to roam
My memory brightens to vows that were broken
Once again the moon hides I’m in darkness alone
Chorus
If I had but one chance dear God I would never
Leave my little darling so cold and alone
My mind will be tormented I know now forever
Since they buried my heart ‘neath a weathered gray stone
Chorus
