He was a friend of mine He was a friend of mine Never had no money To pay his room or board He was a friend of mine He died on the road He died on the road Never had no money To pay his room or board He was a friend of mine He never done no wrong He never done no wrong He was just a poor boy Out 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 again he's satisfied He was a friend of mine When I hear his name I just can't keep from cryin' 'Cause he was a friend of mine