20 years ago last Christmas
Came a tempter to my wife
Stole the only flower I cherished
And I vowed I'd have his life
In the street one day I met him
In my eyes, that villain grinned
Then the curse of Cain came on me
It was on that very day I sinned
Sure I dream as the hammer strikes the anvil
And I dream as the sparks light on the floor
Of my blue-eyed turtle-dove
She's the only girl I love
As she stood outside that good old smithy door
12 months past and came my trial
In the court I saw my wife
And I heard her beg for mercy
When they sentenced me for life
For 12 long years, I've read her letters
The only comfort I can tell
When I heard that she was dying
It was then my lonely spirits fell
Sure I dream as the hammer strikes the anvil
And I dream as the sparks light on the floor
Of my blue-eyed turtle-dove
She's the only girl I love
As she stood outside that good old smithy door
Late one night, I dodged the warders
Over the prison walls I sprang
Then got home footsore and weary
At the breaking of the dawn
She was glad, so glad to see me
In my arms that night, she died
Then the warders rushed the doorway
And they found me there inside
When they saw her lifeless body
And I kneeling on the floor
They said, "Jack my lad, we'll trust you
Come back when you've laid her low"
Sure I dream as the hammer strikes the anvil
And I dream as the sparks light on the floor
Of my blue-eyed turtle-dove
She's the only girl I love
As she stood outside that good old smithy door