[Verse 1]
I was standin’ on the corner, did not mean no harm
I was standin’ on the corner, mama, did not mean no harm
And the police came, nabbed me by my arm

[Verse 2]
Every prosecutor questioned me, partner
The clerk, he wrote it down
The prosecutor questioned me, partner
The clerk, he wrote it down
They don’t try give me one chance Nolan
But here I was to leave this town

[Cornet 12-bar solo: Louis Armstrong]

[Verse 3]
As I got to the Bridewell, fell down on my knees
And I got through the Bridewell, fell down on my knees
Lord, kill me jailer, jailer kill me please

[Verse 4]
They tied me to the stone quarry
I was standing in the door, I just couldn’t [?]
They tied me to the stone quarry
I was standing in the door
As they threw me this way, people
You know I’ve been here before