A Prisoner For Life lyrics
A Prisoner For Life My old father advised me when I was but young, "Of
ramblin' an' gamblin', bad company shun. These words you'll remember when
I'm old an' gray, These words you'll remember when I'm cold in my
grave." But I kept on a-ramblin' in that terrible band, Till I was
attackted by the laws of the land, Was tried an' convicted for mail
robbery, Nine years was transported across the salt sea. Then I met
my old father a-leavin' the dock, He wrang his poor hands an' he tore his
gray locks , Sayin', "Son, they have ruint you, I've advised you
before, But now we are partin' to meet here no more." If I was on
shipboard, pretty Molly by me, Bound down in strong Ireland I'd feel
myself free, Bound down in strong Ireland an' kept like a slave, 'Twas in my own country I did not behave. Farewell, little doogie, to an
embel you fly, You sing an' you sorrow your troubles all by; Oh, what
would I give in such freedom to share, To roam at my ease an' to breathe
the fresh air. Oh, farewell, kind comrades, I'm willin' to own That
such a wild outcast has never been known; 'Tis the cause of my ruin an'
sudden downfall, An' caused me to labor behind the stone wall. Note:
One of many local variants, each, apparently with an "authentic" local
history. In next to last verse, I find myself utterly charmed by
"..little doogie, to an embel you'll fly.." Any Missourians have a
clue? From Ozark Folksongs, Randolph. Collected from Carrie Baber, MO, 1922 filename[ PRSNRLIF play.exe PRSNRLIF RG ===DOCUMENT
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