"I Heard My Mother Weeping" lyrics

The big court room was crowded
While the jury heard my plea
I cried, "Sir, I'm not guilty
Of this crime you're accusin' me"
I guess no one believed me
For they only turned away
To give the judge their verdict
While I bowed my head and prayed

I heard my mother weeping
When the judge said, "Guilty, son
I'll have to give you life now
For this crime that you have done"
She cried, 'Don't take my darlin'
For 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 worked to earn my living
I raised our darlin' 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"

The judge sat there with his head bowed
At first, did not reply
And then I saw him brushing
The teardrops from his eyes
He motioned to the jury
"This sentence can't be done
God bless you, darlin' mother
I still love you and our son"