He was a friend of mine 
Every time I think of him 
I just can't keep from cryin' 
'Cause he was a friend of mine 

He died on the road 
He died on the road 
He just kept on moving 
Never reaped what he could sow 
And he was a friend of mine 

I stole away and cried 
I stole away and cried 
'Cause I never had too much money 
And I never been quite satisfied 
And he was a friend of mine 

He never done no wrong 
He never done no wrong 
thousand miles from home 
And he never harmed no one 
And he was a friend of mine 

He was a friend of mine 
He was a friend of mine 
Every time I hear his name Lord 
I just can't keep from cryin' 
'Cause he was a friend of mine