Now up on echo mountain

In the spring of '32

Jim and Becky Johnson

With a bible and a mule

Set out to raise a family

But the babies didn't come

So when they found that old stray hound

They loved him like a son

But soon their prayers were answered

The baby had his momma's eyes

How that old dog loved him

He would never leave his side

They could always trust that faithful hound

With the baby they all loved

'Til the child was missin'

And the dog was drenched with blood

Now the cries on echo mountain

Are a painful thing to hear

All the neighbors know the reason (ooh)

For the Johnson's bitter tears

When a man don't use good judgment

It's the innocent who pay

Now the cries on echo mountain

Will haunt me to this day (ooh)

Jim picked up his rifle

He shot and killed the hound

Oh, but there inside the cabin

Was the baby safe and sound

When they found the backdoor open

And too wolves lyin' still

They knew they'd made a grave mistake

With the righteous blood they spilled

Now up on echo mountain

You'll find a lonesome grave

Marked with a handmade marble stone that reads

"God bless the brave"

When daddy tells the story

Of the dog that saved my life

He always asks forgiveness

And the tears still fill his eyes

Now the cries on echo mountain

Are a painful thing to hear

All the neighbors know the reason (ooh)

For the Johnson's bitter tears

When a man don't use good judgment

It's the innocent who pay

Now the cries on echo mountain

Will haunt me to this day (ooh)

When a man don't use good judgment

It's the innocent who pay

Now the cries on echo mountain

Will haunt me to this day