Cat. #0856 (MFH #230) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on August 27, 1969
VERSE 1
Disobedient boy who dared
Turned away from his Father's care
Scorned th tender Sister dear
Nor listen to his Mother's prayer
VERSE 2
This wandering boy who fled away
Cards an' dice, begin to play
For in prison he had to lay
For gambling on th sabbath day
VERSE 3
His Father, sixty years of age
Th best of counsel did engage
To see if somethin could be done
Try to save his darl'in son
VERSE 4
Nothin could th counsel do
Th testy-moniay was so true
Th bloody weapon that he drew
Pierced his com-rde body thru
VERSE 5
His lov'in Sister, standing by
She heerd 'im tell th reason why
For in prison he had to lie
On th gallow had to die
VERSE 6
O, his Mother cried aloud
God may save this gaz'in crowd
For they may be cast away
For gambling on th sabbath day
VERSE 7
Th sheriff, he cut th slender cord
His soul went out t' meet his Lord
Doctor said, th rich was dead
Spirit from his body had fled