Cat. #0811 (MFH #117) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on June 25, 1969
VERSE 1
In a cottage on th hillside
Sits a mother, aged an' gray
She was thinking of her loved one
At th barroom o'er th way
VERSE 2
And 'er mind goes back a few years
To her childhood happy day
When her darling boy, so lively
Round th cottage door would play
VERSE 3
Day by day she nused an' watched him
Cheered 'im in ever strife
Little dreaming in th future
He would ruin her peaceful life
VERSE 4
But at last, as he grew older
Mother's kindnes left his mine
He decided that he'd ramble
Leave'n home an' friends behind
VERSE 5
Mother followed to th station
Kissed 'er son a last goodbye
Prayed to God to love an' bles 'im
As th tears fell from 'er eyes
VERSE 6
First was card, an' than to drink'in
Took such lesson all th time
That would make his life disgraceful
And would get him into crime
VERSE 7
Finally Mother got a message
O'er th telphone
Asking her to meet her loved one
Who at last had ceased to roam
VERSE 8
Once more to th railroad station
Mother went, o'er flowed with joy
At th happy thoughts of meeting
Once't again her loving boy
VERSE 9
Then th agent looked upon her
Tears fell from her eyes, he said
Your son is coming by expressman
Yes, he's coming to you dead
VERSE 10
O, dear boys, from this take warning
Never turn your back on home
Never leave your friends an' loved ones
T' face th weched world alone
VERSE 11
Never rob n'r never gamble
Less some day you may fall
Never follow tho' who ramble
Never drink strong alkyhal