The Boy That Just Went Wrong                         
Written by: Fred J. Eaglesmith
Posted to Eaglesmith Digest: Bruce Davies via Bob Roddis

(basically just ADE & repeat like you said Bob)

There's a special little corner in every mothers' heart
For that darlin' wanderin' boy who took the wrong path from the start.
And though she loves the others and she helps them to grow strong,
Deep inside she pines for the boy that just went wrong.

Early one mornin', he's gone when you get up.
There's a little note that's hard to read beside his coffee cup.
Momma wipes her tears away and says we must be strong
And the neighbours never ask about the boy that just went wrong.

Up and down the gravel road the story's told and told
'Bout the one who wasn't like the rest, the one who left the fold.
Tired of the hard work and tired of the farm,
Nobody could really blame the boy that just went wrong.

There's a letter here, a letter there and then there's none at all,
Momma sighs as she stares upon the picture on the wall.
And the children no longer ask when he's coming home,
Sadly missed but hardly mentioned, the boy that just went wrong.

Maybe in some railroad yard, runnin' for his life,
They never lock the door in case he might come home some night.
Maybe on some jailhouse floor cold and all alone.
And a bed is always ready for the boy that just went wrong.

Finally after years and years a letter he (they?) would write
Momma sends the kids to fetch their daddy from the fields
And prayers in the kitchen 'til the first light of dawn
Daddy takes the train to fetch the boy that just went wrong.

There's a small crowd at the station on that cold and dismal day,
Daddy's eyes are rainin' tears when he steps off the train.
When Momma sees the casket, she calls out loud,
Calls for her darlin' boy, the boy that just went wrong.

You can see them softly cryin' as they walk across the fields,
When they reach the churchyard, it's there they quietly kneel.
And the preacher says a few kind words 'bout our eternal home,
And today he's come home to stay, the boy that just went wrong.

Yes, today he's come home to stay, the boy that just went wrong.