There were five of us boys in the family we told our dear mama goodbye
And left our little home down in Georgie our luck in the city to try
We agreed to go back there and see her when two years had passed away
She told us that she would be waiting that two years is over today
They're all going home to mama tonight they're all going home but one
And mama will be so happy tonight and proud of each fortunate son
But one of her boys will be missing there's one she will fail to see
They're all going home to mama tonight they're all going home but me

[ harmonica ]

Tonight it's so dark here in prison I sit gazing out through the bars
And thinkin' of mama in Georgie I can still see her face in the stars
The rest were all steadfast and loyal not one tear would they cause her to shed
But I was the one who disgraced her a criminal better off dead
They're all going home to mama tonight they're all going home but me