he was a friend of mine he was a friend of mine never had no money pay for his fines he was friend a friend of mine he died on the road he died on the road never had no money pay for his board he was a friend of mine he never done no wrong he never done no wrong he was just a poor boy a long way from home he was a friend of mine i stole away and cried i stole away and cried never had no money and i can t be satisfied he was a friend of mine he was a friend of mine he was a friend of mine when i hear his name you know i just can t keep from crying he was a friend of mine