a great crowd has now gathered

all around the jail today

to see me executed

and hear what I do say



now I must hang this morning

for the murder of Lilli Schull

whom I so cruelly murdered

and her body shamefully burned



the fire where I burned her

is again now within my sight

her lovely face recovering

and the fire that burned so bright



the cries of poor Lilli

again I can almost hear

as she begged me not to kill her

her life alone to spare



now I bow down to Jesus

in penitential grief

and I beg him now to save me

like he did the dying thief



God bless my aged parents

who mourn for me alone

and my wife and baby

who will be left alone



it was then that I heard a whisper

in a most gentle tone

my grave is one sufficient

to save the vilest one