Early one morning while makin' the rounds

I took a shot of cocaine and I shot my baby down

I shot her down then I went to bed

I stuck that lovin' forty-four beneath my head



Woke up next morning and I grabbed that gun

I took a shot of cocaine and away I run

Made a good run but I run too slow

The overtook me down in Juarez Mexico



In the hot joint takin' the pill

There walked the sheriff from Jericho Hill

Willy Lee your name is not Jack Brown

You're the dirty hack that shot your woman down



Yes, so my name's is Billy Lee

If you've got a warrant you better read it to me

I shot her down 'cause she made me sore

I thought I was her daddy but she had five more



When I was arrested I was dressed in black

They threw me on a freight train and hauled me back

Had no friend who'd go my bail

They stuck my dried-up carcass in the county jail



Early next morning 'round half past nine

I saw the sheriff comin' down the line

That sheriff yelled as he cleared his throat

Said, “Come on, you dirty hackin' to the district court"



Into the courtroom my trial began

Where I was judged by twelve honest men

Yes, as the jury started walkin' out

I saw that little judge commence to look about



In about five minutes then walked a man

Holding the verdict in his right hand

The verdict read in the first degree

Well I shouted Lordy, Lordy, please have mercy on me



The judge he smiled when he picked up his pen

Ninety-nine years in the San Quentin Penn

Ninety-nine years underneath that ground

But I can't forget that day I shot that bad bitch down



Come on, you hotheads, listen on to me

Stay off that whiskey, let that cocaine be