Cat. #0404 (MFH #639) - As sung by Mrs. Chloe Bain, Elkton, Missouri on September 6, 1959
VERSE 1
Th judge said, stand up boy
An' dry up your tears
Your sentenced to Nashville
For twenty-one years
So, kiss me goodbye, babe
An' say, you'll be mine
For twenty-one years is
A mighty long time
VERSE 2
Th sleet on th window
Th smoke from th stack
I know you'll be true blue
Until I get back
So, hold up your head, babe
An' dry up your eyes
For best friends must part, babe
So must you an' I
VERSE 3
So, go ask th governor
Save all your sweet soul
If you can't get a pardon
Try t' get a parole
If I had th governor
Where th governor's got me
Before, Tuesday morning
That governor'd be free
VERSE 4
Six months have gone by, babe
I wish I was dead
This dirty ole jailhouse
With a club for a bed
It's raining, it's hailing
Th moon gives no light
O baby, please tell me
Why you never write
VERSE 5
I've counted th paydays
I've counted th lights
I've counted th minutes
I've counted th nights
I've counted th footprints
I've counted th stars
I've counted a million
Of these prison bars
VERSE 6
I counted on you, babe
To get me a place
I guess you forgotten
I'm here for your sake
You know who killed thee
You know it full well
But I'll rot in this jailhouse
Before I will tell
VERSE 7
Come all you young fellas
With heart brave an' true
Don't trust in a woman
Your deceived if you do
Don't trust any woman
No matter what kind
For twenty years, boys
Is a mighty long time