Well, I've often heard it said that you're better poor than dead
But I don't know if I believe that anymore
And, I ain't never showed no one the darkness in my soul
But I'm just so tired of feeling small and poor
So, Mother, oh Mother, please forgive the deeds I've done
For I robbed a bank and then brother did I fly
And I killed a man then I headed out on the run
But I swear I never meant for him to die

I took off on the run from the awful thing I'd done
But I didn't run too fast nor get too far
They caught me later on next day, hiding out amongst the hay
In the loft in my lover's daddy's barn
And it's lover, oh lover
It's no, nay, nevermore on your lilly-white breast I will lay my weary head
And lover, though I've loved you for ten long years or more
In the morning light they're gonna hang me 'til I'm dead

Well, they drug me into town
And all the people milling 'round hollered "hang him from his neck until he dies!"
But out amongst the sea of hate, I saw my darling lover's face
With a single tear just a'falling from her eye
So, Father, oh Father, please hear the words I say
Though I don't deserve forgiveness anymore
And Father, oh Father, please hear the words I pray
For I'm coming home to darken your pearly door
Well, now every breath I take is silent rage against my fate
And every step, a restless substitute for flight
But I know my race is run, my time upon this earth is done
And every day must someday soon crash into night
So, brothers and sisters, take your warning from my fate
And don't run around with two pistols in your hands
Just keep yourself at home in your darling lover's arms
Try and make it through this world as best you can