I went out last night to take a little round
And I met a little Sadie and I blowed her down
And I went straight home and I went to bed
Forty four smokin' beneath my head

Well I began to thinkin' what a deed I'd done
So I grabbed my hat and started to run
I made a good run, just a little too slow
Overtook me around Jericho


Standing on the corner, reading the bill
When up came the sheriff from Thomasville
He said, young man, is your name Brown?
Remember the night when you blowed Sadie down?

Well oh yes sir, my name is Lee
And I murdered little Sadie in the first degree
First degree, second degree
Got any papers, better read 'em to me


Well they dragged me downtown, dressed me in black
Turned me on the train and sent me back
Had no one for to go my bail
Took me down to the county jail
Well the judge and the jury took their stand
And the judge had the papers in his right hand
Forty one days, forty one nights
Forty one years to wear the ball and the stripes