Lead Belly, The Kossoy Sisters, and Dolly Parton are three inspirational figures in music, each bringing a unique style and perspective that have shaped their respective genres.

While Lead Belly’s blues and folk roots inspired generations of musicians, Dolly Parton’s country and pop crossover appeal made her a legendary figure in American music.

Kossoy Sisters, though less widely known, represents a new era in music, blending electronic elements with indie pop feels.

About the Song

In the Pines is a haunting folk song famously recorded by Lead Belly, with its dark lyrics about love, death, and longing.

The song’s eerie, mournful tune has made it a classic, covered by various artists, including Dolly Parton and the Kossoy Sisters.

In The Pines Lyrics by Lead Belly

My girl, my girl, don’t lie to me
Tell me where did you sleep last night
In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun don’t ever shine
I would shiver the whole night through

My girl, my girl, where will you go
I’m going where the cold wind blows
In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun don’t ever shine
I would shiver the whole night through

Her husband, was a hard working man
Just a mile and a half from here
His head was found in a driving wheel
But his body never was found

My girl, my girl, don’t you lie to me
Tell me where did you sleep last night
In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun don’t ever shine
I would shiver the whole night through

My girl, my girl, where will you go
I’m going where the cold wind blows
In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun don’t ever shine
I would shiver the whole night through

My girl, my girl, don’t lie to me
Tell me where did you sleep last night
In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun don’t ever shine
I would shiver the whole night through

My girl, my girl, where will you go
I’m going where the cold wind blows
In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun don’t ever shine
I would shiver the whole night through

In The Pines Lyrics by The Kossoy Sisters

In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun never shines
Shivered where the cold winds blowed

In the pines, in the pines
In the cold, lonesome pines
Shivered where the cold winds blowed

Little girl, little girl
Where’d you stay last night?
Not even your mother knows

“I stayed in the pines
Where thе sun never shines
Shivеred where the cold winds blowed”

The prettiest girl that I ever did see
Lived down in the Georgia pines
And the only girl that I ever did love
I knew she’d never be mine

Little girl, little girl
What have I done?
That makes you treat me so

“You’ve caused me to weep
And you’ve caused me to mourn
Like I’ve never done before”

Little girl, little girl
Don’t you lie to me
Tell me, where did you get that dress?

“From the man in the pines
Where the sun never shines
Shivered where the cold winds blowed”

In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun never shines
Shivered where the cold winds blowed

In the pines, in the pines
In the cold, lonesome pines
Shivered where the cold winds blowed

In The Pines Lyrics by Dolly Parton

Verse 1

In the pines, in the pines, where the sun never shines
And you shiver when the cold wind blows
My love, my love, what have I done
To make you treat me so
You’ve caused me to weep, you’ve caused me to mourn
You’ve caused me to leave my home

Chorus

In the pines, in the pines, where the sun never shines
And you shiver when the cold wind blows

Verse 2

The longest train I ever saw
Went down that Georgia Line
The engine passed at six o’clock
The caboose went by at nine

Chorus

In the pines, in the pines, where the sun never shines
I asked my captain for the time of day
He said he throwed his watch away

Chorus

Outro

Hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo

Similar Songs Like In The Pines

Here’s a list of similar soft pop, old songs like In The Pines that you might want to browse through:

• Goodnight Irene: It is a classic folk ballad about love and loss, and became one of Lead Belly’s most famous songs. The mournful lyrics and simple, yet smooth melody have made it a timeless favorite.
• Jolene: This timeless classic tells the story of a woman pleading with another not to take away her man. Dolly Parton’s voice and heartfelt delivery make this ballad one of her signature songs.
• I’ll Fly Away: It is a hopeful gospel folk tune about spiritual freedom and life beyond earth, delivered with sweet harmonies and a gentle rhythm.

Similar Artists

If you are into pop or old indie artists, here’s a list of recommended artists that you might love:

• Woody Guthrie
  Genre: Folk, Americana
  Top Albums: Dust Bowl Ballads, This Land Is Your Land, Bound for Glory
• Loretta Lynn
  Genre: Country, Honky Tonk
  Top Albums: Coal Miner’s Daughter, Van Lear Rose, Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’
• The Carter Family
  Genre: Country Folk, Gospel
  Top Albums: Can the Circle Be Unbroken, My Clinch Mountain Home, Wildwood Flower

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Main Themes of the Song?

The song expresses dark and haunting themes such as loneliness, death, betrayal, and the hardships of life.

Why are There so Many Versions and Different Lyrics?

As a folk song, In the Pines was transmitted orally for decades, with each performer adapting lyrics and themes to suit their audience and style.

What is the Song’s Legacy?

In the Pines is considered a foundational piece of American folk music, continually reinterpreted by artists in folk, blues, bluegrass, and rock.