Lyrics I'm Here To Get My Baby Out of Jail - Helen Merrill

"I'm not in your town to stay"
Said a lady old and gray to the warden of a penitentiary
"I'm not in your town to stay
And I'll soon be on my way
I'm just here to get my baby out of jail"
"Yes, warden, I'm just here to get my baby out of jail"

"I've tried to raise my baby right
I have prayed both day and night
That he'd never follow footsteps of his dad
I have searched both far and wide
I had fear that he had died
And at last, I found my baby here in jail
Yes, warden, but it's good to find my baby here in jail

It is just five years today since my husband passed away
He was found beneath the snow, so cold, so white
I made a vow to keep his ring, and his gold watch, and this chain
But the Khangi laid my husband in the ground
Yes, warden, the Khangi laid my husband in the ground

I will pawn you my watch
I will pawn you my chain
I will pawn you my diamond wedding ring
I will wash all your clothes
I will scrub all your floors
If that will get my baby out of jail
Yes, warden, you know I want my darling out of jail"

Then we heard the warden say
To this lady old and grey
I will bring your baby boy to your soil"
Two iron gates swung wide apart
She held her darling to her heart
She kissed her baby boy, and then she died
But smiled in the arms of her dear boy, there she died

I'm not in your town to stay
And I'll soon be on my way
I'm just here to get my baby out of jail
Yes, warden, I'm just here to get my baby out of jail