From Prison To Mother's Grave - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
From Prison to Mother's Grave. Copyright, 1897, by National Music Co. Words by H. T. Pace. Music by Margaret Adele Moore. 
A mother was lying at death's cold door, And pleading to see her boy, Who had been led astray in spite of her prayers, Life's pleasures for her to destroy; Please go and throw open that large steel door. Cast his shackles all down on the floor; Oh, grant this request, ere mine eyes close in death, Let me hear his sweet voice just once more. 
Chorus. From a prison to his mother's grave they allowed that convict to go, 'Twas in answer to his mother's prayers because she loved him so; [brow His only sister, with broken heart, rained kisses on her poor brother's Mother and brother both taken away, how lonely 'twill be for her now. 
The boy whom she loved was serving his time For killing his dearest friend; And his mother from grief was passing away, Yet prayed for her boy to the end; Kind friends being moved when they heard her last words, To the Governor promised to go; They did and his answer came quick as a flash, To her pleadings I cannot say no.-Chorus.