Intro: E B7 E 


[Verso 1]
 
                                         A             E 
The big court room was crowded while the jury heard my plea 
                                  F#7                   B7 
I said, sir I'm not guilty of the crime you're accusing me 
  E                                 A            E 
I guess no one believed me for they only truned away 
                                B7                        E 
To tell the judge their verdict while I bowed my head and prayed 


[Refrão]
 
                                   A                  E 
I heard my mother weepin' when the judge said, guilty son 
                                       F#7                 B7 
I'll have to give you life now for the crime that you have done 
    E                                 A                E 
She cried, don't take my darlin' he's all the world to me 
                               B7                  E 
He's all I have to live for, I pray you'll set him free 


Instrumental: E B7 E 


[Verso 2]
 
                                 A            E 
His father was a drunkard, went away left us alone 
                                      F#7               B7 
I washed to keep from starving and to raise our darling son 
    E                           A                 E 
Now if you take him from me his face no more I'll see 
                                   B7                 E 
Just put your son in his place his mother's here with me 

Outro: 
                                   A                  E 
I heard my mother weepin' when the judge said, guilty son 
                                       F#7                 B7 
I'll have to give you life now for the crime that you have done 
    E                                 A                E 
She cried, don't take my darlin' he's all the world to me 
                               B7                  E 
He's all I have to live for, I pray you'll set him free