To the warden of the penitentary
I'm not in your town to stay and I'll soon be on my way
I'm just here to get my baby out of jail
(Yes warden)
You know I want my baby out of jail

I've tried to raise my baby rightI I have prayed both day and night
That he wouldn't follow the footsteps of his Dad
I have searched both far and wide and I feared that he had died
But at last I found my baby here in jail
(Yes warden)
You know it's good to find my baby here in jail

It was five years today when my husband passed away
He was found beneath the snow so cold and white
T'was then I vowed to take his ring, his gold watch and his chain
But the county laid my husband in the grave
(Yes warden)
The county laid my baby's Papa in the grave

I will pawn you my watch, I will pawn you my ring,
I will pawn you my diamond wedding ring
I will wash all your clothes, I will scrub all your floors
If this will get my baby out of jail
(Yes warden)
You know I want my baby out of jail

Then I heard the warden say to the lady old and gray
I will bring your darlin' baby to your side
Two iron gates swung wide apart she held her darlin' to her heart
She kissed her baby boy and then she died
(But smilin')
In the arms of her dear darlin' boy she died