I Heard My Mother Weeping

The big courtroom was crowded while the jury heard my plea
I cried, "Sir, I'm not guilty of this crime you're accusing 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 darling son
Now if you take him from me, his face, no more I'll see
So 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