i found him by the railroad track this mornin'
i could see that he was nearly dead
i nelt down beside him, and i listened
just to hear the words the dyin' fella said

he said they let me outa prison, out in frisco
for ten long years i paid for what i done
i was tryin to get back to lousiana
to see my rose, and get to know my son

give my love to rose, please wont ya mister?
take her all my money, tell her buy some pretty clothes
tell my boy that daddy's so proud of him
and dont forget to give my love to rose

wont ya tell um, i said thanks for waitin' for me
tell my boy to help his ma at home
tell my rose to try to find another
cause it aint right that she should live alone
mister here's the bag with all my money
it wont last them long, though it goes
god bless you for finding me this morning
now dont forget to give my love to rose

give my love to rose, please wont ya mister?
take her all my money, tell her buy some pretty clothes
tell my boy that daddy's so proud of him
and dont forget to give my love to rose