The big courtroom was crowded while the jury heard my pleaI cried, "Sir, I'm not guilty of this crime you're accusing me"I guess no one believed me, for they only turned awayTo give the judge their verdict while I bowed my head and prayedI heard my mother weeping when the judge said, "Guilty, sonI'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 meHe's all I have to live for, I pray you'll set him free""His father was a drunkard, went away, left us aloneI worked to earn my living, I raised our darling sonNow if you take him from me, his face, no more I'll seeSo put your son in his place, his mother's here with me"The judge sat there with his head bowed, at first did not replyAnd then I saw him brushing the teardrops from his eyesHe motioned to the jury, this sentence can't be doneGod bless you, darlin' mother, I still love you and our son
