They killed a man for doing wrong today
When all he ever did in life was look the other way
And with his verdict someone heard him pray
The crowd gathered around to see the look on his face

Will they ever know the last words he spoke
He cried, "Mother," as the people stood and stared
He cried, "Mother," and no one seemed to care

Barely 25 years to his name
Only the good die young
It's too hard to say
With a wife and child living back at home
Far from here where he dies all alone

Will they ever know, the last words he spoke
He cried, "Mother," at the people who were there
Well he cried, "Mother"
It sounded like a prayer

They killed a man for doing wrong today