C  G  C

[Verse 1]
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The big courtroom was crowded as the jury heard my plea
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I cried sir I'm not guilty of the crime you're accusing me
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I don't know one believed me but they only turned away
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To give the judge their verdict while I bowed my head and prayed

[Verse 2]
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I heard my mother weeping when the judge said "Guilty son"
     C                                  D                   G    G7
I'll have to give you life now for this crime that you have done
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She cried "Don't take my darlin' he means the world to me
     C                        G                   C
He's all I have to live for I pray you'll set him free

[Instrumental]
C  G  C

[Verse 3]
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His father was a girl cur(?) an' went away left us alone
  C                              D               G   G7
I worked to earn a living and to raise an honest son
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Now if you take him from me his face no more I'll see
     C                              G                C
Just put your son in his place, his mother here with me

[Verse 4]
    C                                      F                C
The judge said bear with his ?????? and at first did not re-ply
    C                           D                  G
And then I saw him brushing the teardrops from his eye
   C                         F                C
He motioned to the jury they said it can't be done
    C                           G                    C
God bless you darling mother. I still love you as my son