Lyrics:
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Raised up in Louisville, a city you all know well,
Raised up by honest parents, the truth to you I'll tell,
Raised by honest parents, raised most tenderly
Til I became a burglar at the age of twenty three.
My character was taken and I was sent to jail.
My people found it all in vain to get me out on bail.
The jury found me guilty, the clerk he wrote it down,
The judge he passed the sentence and he sent me to Frankfort town.
They put me on an east bound train one cold December day.
As I passed the station I could hear the people say,
"Yonder goes the burglar for some great crime I know,
For some great crime or other now to Frankfort town must go."
I saw my aged father pleading at the bar,
I saw my dear old mother dragging out her hair.
Dragging out those old grey locks the tears come streaming down.
She said "My son, what have to done to be sent to Frankfort town?"
I have a girl in Louisville, a girl that I love well.
If ever I get my liberty long life with her I'll dwell.
If ever I get my liberty bad company I will shun,
Playing cards and gambling and also drinking rum.
Oh you who have your liberty pray keep it while you can.
Don't walk about the streets at night or break the laws of man.
For if you do you surely will, you'll find yourself like me,
Serving out your twenty-one years in the state penitentiary.
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