In a little country village
not very far away
There lived a rich but aged man
whose hair was turning gray
He had three sons three only ones
both Jack and Tom were sly
But Ted was honest as could
be he would not tell a lie
The brothers tried to ruin Ted
before the old man's eyes
At last the plot begin its work till
Ted was much despised
The father then said begone
you're heartless to the core
Then the black's sheeps words they came
just a ringing through the door
Don't be angry with me dad
don't drive me from your door
I know that I've been wayward
but I won't be anymore
Just give me one more chance
and put me to the test
You'll find the black sheep loves
his dad for better than the rest
Year by year sped quickly by
the father now grown old
He called to them both Jack and
Tom and gave them all his gold
I only need a little room a
place at your fireside
One night on Jacks' returning home
he brought with him a bride
The three began to hate the father
more and more each day
At last he heard the three declare
why the old fool's in our way
They then agreed to send him to
the poorhouse that was near
Then like a flash the black sheep's
words came ringing in his ear
A wagon drives up to the door
it is the poorhouse band
The brothers pointed to their dad
right there is your man
Then a manly form appeared came
rushin' through the crowd
Stop this you brutes the lad replied
it shall not be allowed
You took the old man's property
and all that he could save
You've even sold the little lot
containing mother's grave
I am his son but not your kin from
now till judgement day
The father clasped the black sheep's
hand and they all heard him say
Don't be angry with me son I
know I drove you from my door
I know that I've been foolish lad
I've repented o'er and o'er
I should have given you my gold
for you have stood the test
I found the black sheep loves
his dad for better than the rest