The only woman I ever loved
Was committed to set me free
Yes, she put my love in the hands of a judge
In the court of the common plea

In the court of the common plea
Oh, in the court, court of the common plea, darling

The judge's choice did me great harm
'Cause I knew I had done no wrong
Yes, he broke my heart, he did it needlessly
When he set my baby free
In the court of, court of the common plea, yeah
In the court, court of the common plea

I couldn't believe my eyes
When I saw my baby walk away, lord help
I couldn't believe my ears
When I know I heard my baby say
Do you know what she said?
She said, "at last, of you I'm free
And though there's lots of good in you
You just ain't no good for me."
Lord, help me, please

Oh, the judge's choice did me great harm
'Cause I knew I had done no wrong
Oh, he broke my heart needlessly
When he set my woman free
Oh, lord
The court of the common plea
Yeah, yeah, oh, oh
In the court of the common plea
Pleading won't help you, children
In the court of the common plea
Oh, court of the common plea
I'm gonna plea one time
I need my children
Don't you hurt me