I met her at the mission,

Living just this side of sin.

Her mouth was soft and when she spoke,

Lord, I fell right in.

She had a baby in a blanket,

A dollar and a half.

She looked a little leery,

She let out a little laugh.

Opened up my overcoat,

Invited them inside.

Two fragile little flowers,

With nowhere left to hide.

She said her old man left her,

Just before the baby came.

I could feel the tears well up inside,

Each time she spoke his name.

Swing low, swing low,

Sweet angel face.

Why would such a simple child,

Come to such a place?

We talked until the wind died down,

The baby woke and stirred.

She made a little hushing sound,

Spoke some magic word.

The baby yawned and smiled at me,

But she said: "We can't stay."

She thanked me for my kindness,

Turned and walked away.

Swing low, swing low,

Sweet angel face.

Why would such a simple child,

Come to such a place?

I think about them all the time,

And hope they found their home.

Seems that it's my calling now,

To walk these streets alone.

Sometimes when the wind is right,

I can smell her sweet perfume.

I think about the warm embrace,

That ended all too soon.

Swing low, swing low,

Sweet angel face.

Why would such a simple child,

Come to such a place?

Oh, oh, oh, why would such a simple child,

Come to such a place?