Lord have mercy on me

Was the kneeling drunkard's plea

And as he knelt there on the ground

I know that god in heaven looked down

I went down by an old country church

I saw the drunkard stagger and lurch

And as he reached his mother's grave

I saw that drunkard kneel and pray

Lord have mercy on me

Was the kneeling drunkard's plea

And as he knelt there on the ground

I know that god in heaven looked down

Bring my darling boy home to me

Was his mother's dying plea

And as he staggered through the gates

Alas he came just one day too late

Three years have passed since she went away

Her son is sleeping beside her today

And I know that in heaven his mother he'll see

For God has heard the drunkard's plea

Lord have mercy on me

Was the kneeling drunkard's plea

And as he knelt there on the ground

I know that god in heaven looked down