The Story of the Lawson Family

Friends this is a true story that happened in the hills

of western North Carolina in the year 1928.

This tragedy occured near the little town of Danburry

in Stokes county in the state of North Carolina.

It's absolutely true. This man murdered his family,

his wife, and himself. His name was Charlie Lawson,

and this song is entitled, "The Story of the Lawson Family."

It was long last Christmas evening

The snow was on the ground

At his home in North Carolina

The murderer, he was found

His name was Charlie Lawson

And he had a loving wife

But they never knew what caused him

To take his family's life

They say he killed his wife at first

While the little one did cry

Please papa won't you spare us

How it is so hard to die

But the raging man could not be stopped

He would not heed their call

He kept on firing fatal shots

And there he killed them off

They say he killed his wife at first

While the little ones did cry

Please papa won't you spare us

How it is so hard to die

They did not carry him to jail

No lawyers would be paid

They'll have his trial in another land

On the final judgement day

They all were all buried in a crowded grave

While the angels watched from above

Come home, come home my little ones

To the land of peace and God

And... farewell ...

I'll see you there no more

But when we meet in another land

Our trouble will be gone