Al Downing – Mr. Jones lyrics

Mr. Jones
Recorded by "Big" Al Downing
Writer: Al Downing

He was an old black country farmer
Driving home another load of hay
When he came upon an accident on a lonely county highway
He could hear a baby cryin'
See the folks as they lay dyin'
And a mother said with her final breath;
"The baby has no kin, won't you please take him in
Give him love and give him all your best. "

So he took him to the big house
Where he worked as a sharecropper
From that day on he never was alone
And when the little white boy
Cut his hand from pickin' berries
He came runnin', cryin', to Mr. Jones.

Chorus
I'm in trouble, come and get me Mr. Jones
You're the only one to help me in this world, I'm so alone
Yes, I love you and I need you, Mr. Jones
I'm in trouble, come and get me, Mr. Jones.

He grew up and got in trouble
With the law and on the double
Soon his name was known throughout the land
He robbed a bank in Dallas
Killed a man in Oklahoma
Each time he'd take the phone up in his hand.

Each time the County Sheriff stopped by
A part of Mr. Jones would die
And from his eyes the tears began to run
And he began to pray
That he'd live to see the day
He'd hold the boy, he raised up like a son.

Chorus

(Spoken)
One Saturday night as he lay in jail
For fighting and just raisin' hell
That Sunday morning, he picked up the phone
And as the phone was ringin'
Back home in church, a choir was singin'
I'm goin' home, for Mr. Jones.

And when the choir stopped singin'
That telephone just kept on ringin'
And they slowly laid Mr. Jones to rest
And there are those that say;
Mr. Jones, he passed away, of a broken heart
And just plain unhappiness.

Chorus

(It's too late, he's goin' home)
Come and get me Mr. Jones
(It's too late, he's goin' home)
Mr. Jones, please pick up the telephone
(It's too late, he's goin' home)
Mr. Jones, I need you, Mr. Jones
(It's too late, they're goin' home)
Hey, open this jail, I wanna go home, I wanna go home
(It's too late, he's goin' home)
Somethin' must have happened to Mr. Jones. [Fade]

Tag:
(It's too late, they're goin' home)
Mr. Jones, come and get me, Mr. Jones.