Poor Howard's dead and gone, left me here to sing his song Poor Howard's dead and gone, left me here to sing his song Poor Howard had a wife and she nagged him all his life So he used his butcher knife---like I said he had a wife Now poor Howard's dead and gone... They took Howard off to jail, wouldn't let me go his bail, They said if he is your friend, buy a lily for his hand Poor Howard's dead and gone... When we laid his bones to rest we fulfilled his last request He said buddies bury me far from her as I can be Now poor Howard's dead and gone... His last words were 'Friends, goodbye. Don't you worry; don't you cry. I don't mind this a gettin' hung, at least I stopped her naggin' tongue' Now poor Howard's dead and gone...