|
THE GREAT COURTHOUSE (THE PRISONER AT THE BAR) Sung by: Mrs. Ben Daugherty Recorded in Cave City, AR 8/24/58 Click here to listen to the original recording The people from afar. A fair young boy with tender looks Was a prisoner at the bar. The great courthouse was crowded With eager, anxious thoughts. Many a heart was aching For the boy accused of wrong. A fair young girl with golden hair Crept slowly through the crowd, And many looked with wondering eyes, But spoke not a word aloud. Stepped into the jury box, One moment she did pause, Then smiling through her tears, she said, "Judge, let me plead his case. "Now, Judge, your mind must wander back To those old days gone by. See your sweetheart and yourself, Just like this boy and I. Unless you want to blight our lives, Don't say that we must part. Remember, Judge, your darling wife Was once your own sweetheart. "Next Sunday was our wedding day, And dreams of loved ones there. At the altar he would make Me his own darling wife. If you have children of your own, Have mercy, I do pray. Remember, Judge, your darling wife Was once your own sweetheart." The judge rose slowly from his seat; The court was still as death. The tears came twinkling down his cheeks. He spoke in a faltering breath. "I have a little girl at home With just such babyish eyes. Seeds of mercy scattered here Will flourish to the skies." The jury did not leave their seat, For they had quickly agreed. Um, um, hm, hm, hm, Hm hm hm hm-hm. Not guilty was the only word The maiden heard them say. Her lover clasped her in his arms; Love always has its way. (Mrs. Daugherty: "I forgot . . . I forgot what it was, you know.") Also found in Randolph, Vol. IV, #828, "The Prisoner at the Bar." |
|
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 |