Went out last night to take a little round
I met my Little Sadie and I blowed her down
I run right home and I went to bed
A forty-four smokeless under my head

I begin to think what a deed I done
I grabbed my hat and away'd I'd run
I made a good run, just a little to slow
They overtook me in Jericho

Standing on the corner a-ringing a bell
And up stepped the sheriff from Thomasville
Says, 'Young man, is your name Brown?
Remember the night you blowed Sadie down.'

'Oh, yes, Sir, my name is Lee
I murdered little Sadie in the first degree
First degree and second degree
Got any papers, will you read 'em to me?'

Took me downtown and dressed me in black
They put me on a train and they sent me back
Had no one for to go my bail
Crammed me back in the county jail

Judge and the jury took their stand
Judge had his papers in his right hand
Forty-one days, forty-one nights
Forty-one years to wear the ball and the stripes