Can I Sleep in Your Barn Tonight Mister

May I sleep in your barn tonight, mister? It's so cold lying out on the ground; And the cold north winds to the whistling, And I have no place to lie down. Now I have no tobacco or matches, And I'm sure I would cause you no harm; I will tell you my story, kind mister, For it runs through my heart like a storm. It was three years ago last summer, I shall never forget that sad day, When a stranger came out from the city, And he said that he wanted to stay. Now this stranger was fair, tall and handsome, And he looked like a man who had wealth; And he wanted to stay in the country, Said he wanted to stay for his health. Then one night as I came from my workshop, I was whistling and singing with joy; I expected a kind-hearted welcome, From my sweet loving wife and my boy. Oh. but what did I find but a letter, It was placed in my room on the stand; And the moment my eyes fell upon it, Why I take it right up in my hands. Now this note said my wife and the stranger, They had left and have taken my son; Oh, I wonder if God up in heaven, Only knows what this stranger has done." May I sleep in your barn tonight, mister? It's so cold lying out on the ground; And the cold north winds to the whistling, And I have no place to lie down.