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THE JUDGE AND THE JURY (THE PRISONER AT THE BAR) Sung by: Mrs. W.B. Apple Recorded on 7/20/62 Click here to listen to the original recording The judge was there, the jury, too, And the people from afar. A fair young lad in tender youth Was prisoner at the bar. The great courthouse was crowded with An eager, anxious throng, And many a heart was yearning for The boy accused of wrong. A maiden fair with golden hair Came swiftly through the crowd. The people gazed in wonder, But spoke not a word aloud. Then turning to the judge, she said-- One moment did she pause-- Then smiling through her tears, she said, "Judge, let me plead his cause. "Oh, judge, your mind must wander back To days long years gone by, And see your sweetheart and yourself, Just like this lad and I. If you've had children of your own, Have mercy, do I pray. Remember it will break my heart If you send Cecil away." The judge rose softly from his seat; The court was still as death. The tears were trickling down his cheeks Before his faltering breath. "I have a little girl at home With just such baby eyes, And she's the mercy fathers get From glory in the skies." The jury did not linger long, For they were quick agreed. The foreman quickly signed a note And gave the boy release. "Not guilty" were the only words The maiden heard him say. Her lover clasped her in his arms. Love always has its way. Also found in Randolph, Vol. IV, #828, "The Prisoner at the Bar." |
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All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas Back to the Song Index Back to the Wolf Collection Homepage ©Copyright 2002 Lyon College |