The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea

"Lord have mercy on me!" 
  Was the kneeling drunkard's plea 
  And as he knelt there on the ground 
  I know that God from heaven looked down 

  I went down by an old country church 
  I saw a drunkard stagger and lurch 
  And as he reached his mother's grave 
  I saw that drunkard kneel and pray 

  "Lord have mercy on me!" 
  Was the kneeling drunkard's plea 
  And as he knelt there on the ground 
  I know that God from heaven looked down 

  "Bring my darling boy to me" 
  Was his mother's dying plea 
  And as he staggered through the gate 
  Alas, he came just one day too late 

  Three years have passed since she went away 
  Her son is sleeping beside her today 
  And I know that in heaven his mother he'll see 
  For God has heard that drunkard's plea 

  "Lord have mercy on me!" 
  Was the kneeling drunkard's plea 
  And as he knelt there on the ground 
  I know that God from heaven looked down