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
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
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?