Well early one evenin' I was rolling around
I was feelin' kinda mean I shot a deputy down
Strolled along home and I went to bed
Well I laid my pistol up under my head
(He strolled along home) I took my time
(And he went to bed) thought I'd sleep some
(Laid his pistrol) big 22"
(Up under his head) I keep it handy
Well early in the mornin' bout the break of day
I figured it was time to make a getaway
Steppin' right along but I was steppin' too slow
Got surrounded by a sheriff down in mexico
(Well he was steppin' right along) I were a hot-footin' it
(But he was steppin' too slow) it was a sultry day
(Got surrounded by a sheriff) boxed in
(In mexico) I didn't even have a chance to see the country
When I was arrested well I didn't have a dime
The sheriff said, 'son you're riding free this time
'Where you're going you won't need a cent
Cause the great state of texas gonna pay your rent.'
(Cause where you're going) I think he means jail
(You won't need a cent) well he knows I'm broke
(Cause the great state of texas) yippee!
(Gonna pay your rent) I'm mighty grateful fellas
Well I didn't have a key and I didn't have a file
Naturally I stayed around until my trial
Judge was an old man, ninety-three
And I didn't like the way the jury looked at me
(Well the judge was an old man) too old
(Ninety-three) entirely too old
I didn't like the way..the jury looked at me
I think they were suspicious
(The judge and jury they did agree)
(They all said murder in the first degree)
(The judge said same)
'Well I dunno whether to hang you or not, but this here killin' of deputy sheriffs has just naturally got to stop.'
(You gotta point there judge)
It was a most unsatisfactory trial
They gave me ninety-nine years on the hard rock pile
Ninety and nine on the hard rock ground
And all I ever did was shoot a deputy down
(Ninety and nine) it could have been life
(On the hard rock pile) they might-a hung me
(And all he ever did was shoot a deputy down)
This whole thing has sure been a lesson to me.
(Bang! You're dead!)
