Last Mile Blues
by 
Ida Cox 
Jessy Crump 
/ Glascoe(?) 
recording of December 20, 1940, New York 
from probably 
I Can't Quit My Man (Affinity 1015) 
You wonder why I'm grievin' and feelin' blue? 
All I do is moan and cry 
With me you'd be in sympathy if you only knew 
And here's the reason why: 
Have you heard what that mean old judge has done to me? 
He told the jury not to let my man go free 
There I stood with my heart so full of misery 
He must die on the gallows, that was the court's decree 
I walked the floor until his time was through 
The judge he said, "There's nothin' you can do" 
He must die on the gallows, by his neck be hung 
He must pay with his life when that there trap is sprung 
He refused folks to talk until it was too late 
He gave his life to satisfy the State 
When they pull the black cap over my daddy's face 
Lord I beg the sheriff to let me take his place 
Now everyday I seem to see that news 
I cry to hide my tears but what's the use? 
Thirteen steps with his lovin' arms bound to his side 
With a smile on his face that's how my daddy died