I'm not in your town to stay said a lady old and gray

To the warden of a 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 you know I want my baby out of jail

I've tried to raise baby right I prayed both day and night

That he'd never follow footsteps of his dad

I have searched both far and wide I had feared that he had died

So it's good to find my baby here in jail

Yes warden I'm just here to get my baby out of jail

It's been ten long years today since my husband passed away

He was found beneath the snow so cold and white

I made a vow to keep his chain his gold watch and diamond ring

Oh the county laid my husband in the ground

Yes warden the county laid my husband in the ground

I will pawn to you his watch I will pawn to you his chain

I will pawn to you my husband's diamond ring

I will wash all your clothes or I'll scrub all your floors

If that would get my baby out of jail

Yes warden you know I want my baby out of jail

Then we heard the warden say to this lady so old and gray

I will bring your darling boy to your side

Two iron gates swung wide apart she held her darling to her heart

She kissed her baby boy and then she died

But smiling in the arms of her baby boy she died