Ida Cox - Last Mile Blues lyrics

You wonder why I'm grievin' and feelin' blue? All I do is moan and cry With me you'd be in sympathy if you only knew And here's the reason why: Have you heard what that mean old judge has done to me? He told the jury not to let my man go free There I stood with my heart so full of misery He must die on the gallows, that was the court's decree I walked the floor until his time was through The judge he said there's nothin' you can do He must die on the gallows, by his neck be hung He must pay with his life when that there trap is sprung He refused folks to talk until it was too late He gave his life to satisfy the State When they pull the black cap over my daddy's face Lord I beg the sheriff to let me take his place Now everyday I seem to see that news I cry to hide my tears but what's the use? Thirteen steps with his lovin' arms bound to his side With a smile on his face that's how my daddy died