A A E A [Verse 1] A E "Lord, have mercy on me" E D A Was the kneeling drunkard's plea A D And as he knelt there on the ground D A E A I know that God in heaven looked down [Verse 2] A E I went down by an old country church E D A I saw the drunkard stagger and lurch A D And as he reached his mother's grave D A E A I saw that drunkard kneel and pray [Chorus] A E "Lord, have mercy on me" E D A Was the kneeling drunkard's plea A D And as he knelt there on the ground D A E A I know that God in heaven looked down [Instrumental--Electric Guitar] A G D A [Verse 3] A E "Bring my darling boy to me" E D A Was his mother's dying plea A D And as he staggered through the gate D A E A Alas, he came just one day too late [Instrumental--Organ] A A E A [Verse 4] A E Three years have passed since she went away E D A Her son is sleeping beside her today A D And I know that in heaven, his mother he'll see D A E A For God has heard that drunkard's plea [Chorus] A E "Lord, have mercy on me" E D A Was the kneeling drunkard's plea A D And as he knelt there on the ground D A E D A I know that God in heaven looked down