Don't Take Our Boy Away - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
DON'T TAKE OUR BOY AWAY. Copyright, 1894, by Frank Harding. Written and Composed by John Walsh. Arranged by John A. Stromberg. 
While coming home from work last night, the winter winds blew cold, There sitting on a door-step, a sad sight I did behold: An aged couple, worn and gray, sat there with bow'd down head, "Could I be of assistance, sir" I to the old man said. "My boy there is arrested, and they're taking him to jail; He has never done a wrong, sir, of that I will go bail, Oh, save him for his mother's sake, or it will break her heart," And as I left, these were the words the old man did impart: 
Chorus. "Don't take our boy away from us, he acts a noble part, He is our main support sir, and the pride of mother's heart, He's as free from crime as is the babe that first saw light of day, Friendless we'll roam, without a home, if you take our boy away." 
With tott'ring footsteps, arm in arm. to the court-house on they came, To prove their boy was guiltless, and to clear his honored name. The trial had but just commenced as they pass'd thro' the door. When the mother saw her darling son, she fell fainting to the floor, The old man said, "Have pity, judge, ere the sentence you have read; Our boy there, he is innocent, why not take me instead?" The judge was touched with sympathy-his son was led astray-Your boy is free, so take him home, and no more you'll have to say:- Chorus.