There were five of us boys in the family we told our dear mama goodbye And left our little home down in Georgie our luck in the city to try We agreed to go back there and see her when two years had pa**ed away She told us that she would be waiting that two years is over today They're all going home to mama tonight they're all going home but one And mama will be so happy tonight and proud of each fortunate son But one of her boys will be missing there's one she will fail to see
They're all going home to mama tonight they're all going home but me ( harmonica ) Tonight it's so dark here in prison I sit gazing out through the bars And thinkin' of mama in Georgie I can still see her face in the stars The rest were all steadfast and loyal not one tear would they cause her to shed But I was the one who disgraced her a criminal better off dead They're all going home to mama tonight they're all going home but me