Cat. #0781 (MFH #395) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on June 25, 1969
VERSE 1
Lee Mills is who, they call my name
I was once't without a murderess stain
But now you hear th story told
Of how I came to be so bold
VERSE 2
It was one bright an' sunny day
Will Hardin, he led me astray
He caused me to commit a crime
Which now I am compelled to die
VERSE 3
Here I am, all bound in chains
An' on my hand, a murder stain
If I could call back my past days
I would repent of all such ways
VERSE 4
A many of a night I've laid awake
An' prayed to God, for pity's sake
To pardon all my sins at last
An' to forgive me of th past
VERSE 5
My Mother dear, she prays for me
Her smile'n face I wish't to see
But death, cold death, has come at last
An' took 'er troubles from her breath
VERSE 6
Dear little girl, we have to part
To see those tears, it breaks my heart
I wouldn't care so bad to die
If it wasn't for t' leave you for to weep an' cry
VERSE 7
O, yonder scaffal I do see
O, it is now prepared for me
And I must stand upon it soon
There for t' meet my fatal doom
VERSE 8
Dear rowdy boys, here I stand
Th sheriff with a rope and a outstretched hand
An' this is my last experience word
And do not let them pass your ear
VERSE 9
Don't never be led astray
Nor cause your days to end this way
Or cause your dear ole Mother grief
An' trouble on her head to heap
VERSE 10
Th time has come, I have to go
Farewell dear friend, on earth below
I hope we'll meet above th sky
And I will say, to all goodbye
Ollie says, this is a true song. Her Daddy could have went and seen him hung, but didn't want to.