I Heard My Mother Weeping

The big court room was crowded while the jury heard my plea

I said, sir I'm not guilty of the crime you're accusing me

I guess no one believed me for they only truned away

To tell the judge their verdict while I bowed to pray

I heard my mother weepin' when the judge said, guilty son

I'll have to give you life now for the crime that you have done

She cried, don't take my darlin' he means the world to me

He's all I have to live for, I pray you'll set him free

His father was a drunkard, went away left us alone

I washed to keep from starving and to raise our darling son

Now if you take him from me his face no more I'll see

Just put your son in his place his mother's here with me

* Refrain

The judge sat there with head bowed low, at first did not reply

And then I saw him wipin' a teardrop from his eyes

He motioned to the jury, this sentence can't be done

God bless you darlin' mother I still love you and my son

* Refrain