Caleb Meyer, he lived alone
In them hollarin' pines
And he made a little whiskey for himself
Sip it up to pass the time
No one at the back of my house
Caleb come around
And he called my name 'til I went out
No one else around
Caleb Meyer, your ghost is gonna
Wear them rattlin' chains
But when I go to sleep at night
Don't you call my name
Where's your husband, Nelly Cane?
Where's your darling gone?
Did he go on down the mountain side
And leave you all alone?
Yes, my husband's gone to Bowlin' Green
To do some business there
Then Caleb threw that bottle down
And grabbed me by my hair
Caleb Meyer, your ghost is gonna
Wear them rattlin' chains
But when I go to sleep at night
Don't you call my name
He threw me in the needle bed
Across my dress he lay
Then he pinned my hands above my head
And I began to pray
I cried, "My God, I am your child
Send your angels down"
Then feeling with my fingertips
A bottleneck I found
An' I tore that glass across his neck
As fine as any blade
Then I felt his blood pour fast and hot
'Round me where I lay
Caleb Meyer, your ghost is gonna
Wear them rattlin' chains
But when I go to sleep at night
Don't you call my name
Caleb Meyer, your ghost is gonna
Wear them rattlin' chains
But when I go to sleep at night
Don't you call my name