Lyrics

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