The Kneeling 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 from heaven looked down

I went down by an old country church

I saw a 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 from heaven looked down

"Bring my darling boy to me"

Was his mother's dying plea

And as he staggered through the gate

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 that 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 from heaven looked down