[Verse 1]
I got in a little trouble at the county seat
Lord, they put me in the jailhouse for loafing on the street
Well, the judge said guilty, he made his point
He said forty-five dollars or thirty days in the joint

[Verse 2]
That'll be cash on the barrelhead, hon
You can take your choice, you're twenty-one
No money down, no credit plan
No time to chase you 'cause I'm a busy man

[Verse 3]
I found a telephone number on a laundry slip
I had a good, hardy jailor with a six gun hip
He let me call long distance, she said, "Number, please"
And just as soon as I told her, she shouted back at me

[Verse 4]
Said, "That'll be cash on the barrelhead, hon
Not part, not half, but the entire sum
No money down, no credit line
'Cause a little boy tells me you're the traveling kind"

[Verse 5]
Thirty days in the jailhouse, four days on the road
I was feeling mighty hungry, my feet, a heavy load
I saw a Greyhound coming, stuck out my thumb
As soon as I was seated, the driver caught my arm
[Verse 6]
Said, "That'll be cash on the barrelhead, hon
This old, grey dog gets paid to run
When the engine starts and the wheels will roll
Give me cash on the barrelhead, I'll take ya down the road"

[Outro]
Cash on the barrelhead
I'll take you down the road