The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

DON'T PUT MY BOY IN PRISON

A MOTHER WAS WEEPING AND WAILING
THE COURTROOM WAS FILLED WITH A CROWD
THE JUDGE SAYS WHY MADAME, WHAT'S AILING
AND THE POOR WOMAN SHOUTED OUT LOUD

DON'T PUT MY BOY IN PRISON
DON,T TAKE MY BOY FROM ME
THOUGH FROM THE BANKS HE TOOK MONEY
HE JUST WANTED SAMPLES YOU SEE.

DON'T SEND MY BOY TO PRISON
DOWN WHERE THE GANGSTERS SWARM
THOUGH HE SET THE ORPHANAGE ON FIRE
HE JUST DID IT SO HE COULD BE WARM.

DON'T PUT MY BOY IN PRISON
FOR NEVER MORE WILL HE ROAM
HE DIDN'T STEAL THAT CHICKEN
IT JUST FOLLOWED HIM HOME.

DON'T SEND MY BOY TO PRISON
WHERE ALL IS COLD AND NUMB
HE DIDN'T STEAL THAT PORK CHOP
THE PORK CHOP JUST STUCK TO HIS THUMB.

DON'T PUT MY BOY IN PRISON
WHERE HE WILL EAT STALE BREAD
JUST FIND THE GUY THAT WROTE THIS STORY
AND SEND HIM THERE INSTEAD.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT HEARD FROM AARON ANDERSON WHO HAD TRAVELLED AROUND THE
WORLD AS A SAILOR.

Where learned: NO LOCATION INDICATED

Date learned: NOT GIVEN