Wish I was a babe in my mama's arms,
Wish I was a babe in my mama's arms,
Wish I was a baby in my mama's arms,
Wouldn't-a been here working on the County Farm.

I'd rather be broke and out of doors,
I'd rather be broke and out of doors,
I'd rather be broke, lord, and out of doors,
Than to be here working on the police roll.

Some got six months and some a year,
Some got six months and some a year,
Some got six months, lord, and some a year,
Poor me, poor me got lifetime here.

They put me in jail, wouldn't let me be,
They put me in jail, wouldn't let me be,
Put me in jail, would not let me be,
They said I killed old Leroy Lee.

(Moaning)

Yeah, lord, oh lordy lord,
Oh lord, oh lord, lordy lord,
Oh lord, oh lord, oh lordy lord,
The gal I love treat me like a dog.

(Moaning)

And I hate to hear that big bell dong,
I hate to hear that big bell dong,
I hate to hear, lord, that big bell dong,
'Poor boy, poor boy, you're going on.'