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