I'm not in your town to stay
Said a lady old and gray
To the warden of a penitentiary
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 right
I prayed both day and night
That he'd never follow footsteps of his dad
I have searched both far and wide
I had fear that he had died
So it's good to find my
baby here in jail
Yes, warden,
I'm here to get my baby out of jail
It's been ten long years today
since my husband passed away
He was found beneath the snow
so cold and white
I made a vow to keep his chain,
his gold watch and diamond ring
Oh, the county laid my
husband in the ground
Yes, warden, the county
laid my husband in the ground
I will pawn to you his watch,
I will pawn to you his chain
I will pawn to you my
husband's diamond ring
I will wash all your clothes
or I'll scrub all your floors
If that would get my baby out of jail
Yes, warden, you know
I want my baby out of jail
Then we heard the warden say
to this lady old and gray
I will bring your darlin' boy 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 baby boy
She died.