I'm not in your town to stay said a lady old and gray
To the warden of the penitentiary
I'm not in your town to stay and I'll soon be on my way
I'm just here to get my baby out of jail
(Yes warden I'm just here to get my baby out of jail)
I tried to raise him right and I prayed both day and night
That he'd never follow the footsteps of his dad
I have searched both far and wide and I feared that he had died
Now at last I found my baby here in jail
(Yes warden at last I found my baby here in jail)
It was just five years today since my husband passed away
He was found beneath the snow so cold and white
Made a vow to keep his ring his golden watch and his chain
But the county laid my husband in the ground
(Yes warden the county laid my husband in the ground)
[ guitar ]
I will pawn you my watch I will pawn you my chain
I will pawn you my golden diamond ring
I will wash all your clothes I will scrub all your floors
If that will get my baby out of jail
(Yes warden if that will get my baby out of jail)
Then we heard the warden say to that lady old and gray
I will bring your baby boy to your side
Two big iron gates swung wide apart she held her darlin' to her heart
She kissed her baby boy and then she died
(Yes smiling in the arms of her darling boy she died)