They're All Going Home But One

(album: Soul Of A Convict & Other Great Prison Songs - 1967)

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 passed 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

Tonight it's so dark here in prison
I sit gazing out through the bars
And thinking 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