went down to Taneytown. I went down to Taneytown. To see what I could see. My mama told me never go. But I'm almost 22 years old. Sometimes I fear this holler swollow me. She ran off to Gettysburg. Went off with that new beau of hers. I snuck off after dark. Long way down the county road. Stars were bright. The moon was low. Down to where the black top highway starts. Chorus:. I went down to Taneytown. I went down to Taneytown. I went down to see what I could see. I could see everybody stared at me. You'd think that they ain't never seen. A colored boy before. They chunked at me at me. Called me names. They'd have whipped me sure but the sheriff came. I slipped off through the dry goods store. I ran down Division Street. Some of them boys followed me. Down to the railroad track. Four of them and I cain't fight. But I had my old Randall knife. I cut that boy and I never did look back. Chorus. Cross the fields and woods I run. Like a bullet from a rabbit gun. Back home to my bed. Ma came in from Gettysburg. Her and that new beau of hers. ";Boy you look like hell"; was all she said. Month went by without a word. Somebody down the holler heard. About that boy they hung. He begged those men to spare his life. But I dropped my bloody Randall knife. He picked it up so they thought he was the one. I went down to Taneytown. I went down to Taneytown. I ain't goin' back there anymore