I left my home town

Turned a good woman down

Even laughed at my own Mother's plea

I pushed her aside

Even laughed when she cried

Now I'm here in this penitentary



Now Mother knows best

Her love has stood the test

The records will prove it, you see

But youth's full of fire

Challenge and desire

Now I'm here in this penitentary



I fell in you see with bad company

And I started in gamblin' for fun

One night when the cards

Had been dealt and I'd lost

I backed up my play with a gun



Now Mother knows best

Her love has stood the test

The records will prove it, you see

I shot and I killed

For a twenty dollar bill

Now I'm here in this penitentary