Bars of the County Jail

Gather you all and listen here

I’ll tell you a tale if you lend me an ear

I rode a horse through many a town

But the devil rode me down to the ground

I was to marry a very rich girl

I loved her as only I can

But the father was shot and his gold was stoled

And now I’m the devil’s man, na na na

And now I sing a tail of woe

Through the bars of the county jail

I walked into the room one night

I found her mother and gun

Well the man was dead and I kneeled and cried

The sheriff ran in and said I’m holding you, son

Through the day I sing and play

For time is on my side

But when the moon and stars come out

I lay me down and cry

For the saviour mar I lied

Now I will not have a ride

Beside the window the scaffold was made

On the morrow I will hang