Don't Send My Boy to Prison
(Billy Williams, 1946 - possibly Billy Bennett)

Don't send my boy to prison,
It's the first crime what he's done
"Six months," replies His Lordship,
"Oh, God help my heading, son" (????)

The snow was falling on him, the orphan home was cold.
To save his starving family, the sticks had all been sold.
And when his poor old mother, she was so sick and ill (?)
He yielded to temptation, and he rifled up (?) the till.

It was a sinful action, the sneaking of his wealth (?)
But then he only done it for to save his family's health
Oh, shed the tear of pity, oh quell the angry words,
He never knowed no better, nor (?) no voice of conscience heard.

The shoved the irons across him, a-coming through the door (?)
Says he, "I only done it because I was so poor,"
The officer all a-tremblin', he wipes away a tear,
Says he, "I knows my duty, and no more I mustn't hear."

The judge looks on in anger, and the prisoner hung his head,
And then his poor old mother, what was with him up and said,
"Don't send my boy to prison, It's the first crime what he's done
"Six months," replies His Lordship, "Oh, God help my heading, son" (????)

Don't send my boy to prison,
It's the first crime what he's done
"Six months," replies His Lordship,
"Oh, God help my heading, son" (????)

They takes him from the dock then, and carts him from the court,
Not caring how his mother, the poor old could not support (?).
Thank God this day is ... about, what will comfort her poor heart,
And see her trhough her troubles, til they meets no more to part.

transcribed by ear from Great Days of Music Hall CD, Empress Recording Company

As you can see, I have trouble understanding many parts. Please help.
-Joe-