the stanley brothers
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 