I got in a little trouble at the county seat

Lord, they put me in the jailhouse

For loafing on the street

Well, the judge said guilty

He made his point

He said fourty-five dollars

Or thirty days in the joint

That'll be cash on the barrelhead, hun

You can take your choice

You're twenty-one

No money down

No credit plan

No time to chase you

Cause i'm a busy man



I found a telephone number on a laundry slip

I had a good, hardy jailor

With a six gun hip

He let me call long distance

She said, "number, please"

And just as soon as i told her

She shouted back at me



Said that'll be cash on the barrelhead, hun

Not part, not half

But the entire sum

No money down

No credit line

Cause a little boy tells me

You're the travelin' kind



Thirty days in the jailhouse

Four days on the road

I was feelin' mighty hungry

My feet, a heavy load

I saw a greyhound comin'

Stuck out my thumb

As soon as i was seated

The driver caught my arm



Said that'll be cash on the barrelhead, hun

This old, grey dog gets paid to run

When the engine starts

And the wheels will roll

Give me cash on the barrelhead

I take ya down the road

Ohh, cash on the barrelhead

I take you down the road