May I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister? This song probably dates from around 1890 - 1900. Written to the tune of "Red River Valley," it was one of the most popular songs recorded by Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers. It has recently been revived as "May I Sleep In Your Arms Tonight, Mister?" May I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister? One night it was dark and it was storming When along came a tramp in the rain He was making his way to some station To catch a long distance train. "May I sleep in your barn tonight, Mister? It is cold lying out on the ground. And the cold north wind is whistling And I have no place to lie down." "Oh, I have no tobacco or matches And I'm sure that I'll do you no harm I will tell you my story, kind mister For it runs through my heart like a storm." "It was three years ago last summer I shall never forget that sad day When a stranger came out from the city And said that he wanted to stay." "Now, the stranger was fair, tall and pleasant And he looked like a man who had wealth In his eyes there, a sad look was present Said he wanted to stay for his health." "Now, my wife thought his board and his lodging Could afford to keep us a home So we took in that tall, handsome stranger Who later did break up our home." "One night, as I came from my workshop I was whistling and singing with joy I expected a kind-hearted welcome From my sweet, loving wife and my boy." "But what did I find but a letter? It was placed in a room on the stand And the moment my eyes fell upon it I picked it right up in my hand." "Now, this note said my wife and the stranger They had left and had taken my son Oh, I wonder if God up in heaven Only knows what this stranger has done?"