too many parties and too many pals

gentlemen of the jury

the judge's speech began

the scene was a crowded courtroom

and the judge a stern old man. this prisoner here before you

is a social enemy

a lady of the evening

and you know the penalty. her eyes reflect the nightlife

her cheeks are red with paint

but i knew her mother

gentlemen

why

her mother was a saint. now

i know that she's not like her

and yet she might have been

if it hadn't been for

pettin' parties

cigarettes and gin. we took the night life off the streets

and brought it in our own homes

while girls beguiled with lipstick

danced to saxophones. we opened up the underworld

to the ones we loved so well

so tell me gentlemen

is it right to send her to a cell. if she drinks

well

you taught her

and if she smokes

you showed her how

so gentlemen

do you think it's right

to condemn her now. and when you're in that juryroom

just remember there and then

that for every fallen woman

there's a hundred fallen men. and before you render a verdict

on what this girl has done

just remember there's a man to blame

and that man might be your son. now gentlemen that's my story

my testimony stands

this girl is my own daughter

and the case is in your hands.