Please Mr. Jailer, wontcha' let my man go free. Please Mr. Jailer, wontcha' let my man go free. That night in October, nineteen fifty three, how could he be in Frisco, he was home with me. Please Mr. Jailer, wontcha' let my man go free.
You put him in a death cell, then you changed your mind, then when you reprieved him, you gave him ninety nine.
Please Mr. Jailer, wontcha' let my man go free. Please Mr. Jailer, wontcha' let my man go free. I know that no other, one will ever do, and I know the answer is all up to you. Please Mr. Jailer, wontcha' let my man go free.
I've been down here so often, you don't even ask my name, and if you keep him all his life, I'll be here just the same.
Please, wontcha' let my man go free. Yea, yea, Mr. Jailer, wontcha' let my man go free. That night in October, nineteen fifty three, how could he be in Frisco, he was home with me. Please Mr. Jailer, wontcha' let my man go free.