Louisville Burglar

C             F            C
Brought up in Louisville a city you all know well
       F            C        F                 G
Raised up by honest parents, truth to you I'll tell
       C                        F
Raised up by honest parents and raised most tenderly
    F          C              G      G
Til I became a burglar at the age of twenty-three


My character was taken and I was sent to jail
My parents found it hard work to get me out on bail
The jury found me guilty the clerk he wrote it down
The judge he passed the sentence, that sent me t'Frankfort town

(break)

I saw my aged father, pleading at the bar
I saw my dear old mother, tearing out her hair
Tearing out them old grey locks and tears come streamin down
She said my son what have you done, t'be sentenced t'Frankfort town

They put me on an east bound train one cold November day
And as I walked through the station you could hear all the people say
Oh yonder goes a criminal of some great crime I know
For some great crime or other, to Frankfort town must go

(break)

I have a girl in Louisville, a girl that I love well
If ever I get my liberty all life with her I'll dwell
If ever I get my liberty bad company I'll shun
Playin cards and gamblin and also drinkin rum

Now you who have your liberty pray keep it while you can
Don't walk about the streets at night and break the laws of man
For if you do you surely will find yourself like me
Serving out your twenty-one years in the state penitentiary