Collected by Irene Carlisle
Transcribed by Mary C. Parler
Doney Hammontree
Bethel Grove, Arkansas
March 11, 1951
Reel 102, Item 5
Charles Guiteau
Come, all you tender Christians, and listen to what I say,
And likewise pay attention to these few words from me.
For the murder of James A Garfield I am condemned to die.
And on the thirtieth day of June I'll mount the scaffold high.
My name is Charles Guiteau; my name I'll ne'er deny;
I leave my aged parents in sorrow for to die;
How little did they think I, while in my youthful bloom,
Might be taken to the scaffold to meet my fatal doom
'Twas down at the depot I tried to make my escape;
But, Providence being aginst me, I found it was too late,
They marched me to the prison while in my youthful bloom,
And today I'll mount the scaffold to meet my fatal doom.
(Repeat second stanza)
My sister came to prison, her brother for to see;
She threw her arms around me, and wept most bitterly.
Says she, "My darling brother, this day you'll surely die
For the murder of James A. Garfield, upon the scaffold high."
(Repeat second stanza)