Dm G

In the state of Illinois 'bout nine years ago

Dm C Bb A

A cold blooded killer he went against the law

Dm G

He killed a factory guard when his robbery did fail

Dm C G

And they caught him and they threw him in the jail.

He lay there in his cell locked up with his hate

Not many men knew of him and less cared for his fate.

And he knew no peace of mind when his trial was comin' by

The judge said,