Went down last night to take a look around

Met little Sadie and I blew her down, went right home, went to bed

Forty-four colt smokes under my head

And I began to think what a deed I'd done

Grabbed my hat and away I run, made a good run, but a little too slow

They overtook me in Jericho



I'm standin' on the corner ringin' the bell

Along came the sheriff from Thomasville

Says "Young man, your name's Brown,

Remember the night you blew Sadie down?"

Oh, yes sir, my name is Lee,

I murdered little Sadie in the first degree

First degree and the second degree

Got any papers won't you read 'em to me.



They took me downtown all dressed in black

Put me on the train and sent me back

Sent me back to the county jail, I had nobody to go for my bail

The judge and the jury they took the stand

The judge hold the paper in his right hand

Forty-one days, forty-one nights,

Forty-one years to wear the ball and stripes