Scaffold Blues - Those Poor Bastards

Come all you young devils and listen to me

I’ll tell you a sad story of bad misery

I was born in the country among the beautiful hills

And the memory of my childhood is warm in me still

I grew sick of the fireside I grew sick of my home

I had in view far rambling and far away I did roam

I left all my family to my home I said farewell

And I went down to Chicago the very depths of hell

It was there I took to drinking I sinned night and day

But deep in my poor heart I heard mother say

«Oh be good now my sweet son

May God protect by boy

May God forever bless him and bring his life joy»

I courted a fair maiden her name I will not tell

For it would forever disgrace her since I’m going to hell

It was on one summer evening the stars shining bright

And with a fatal dagger I bid her spirit flight

Now the police overtook me you can all plainly see

My soul is doomed forever for all eternity

I’m now on the scaffold my time is not long

You may forget the singer but don’t forget the song