Went out last night to take a look around
Met little Sadie and I blowed her down
Went right home, went to bed
Forty-four smokeless under my head

Woke up the next morning about half past nine
The hacks and the buggies all standing in line
The gents and the gamblers standing all around
Taking little Sadie to her burying ground

Well I began to think what a deed I'd done
Grabbed my hat and away I run
Made a good run, but a little too slow
They overtook me in Jericho

I'm standing on the corner reading a bill
Along came 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 the second degree
Got any papers would you read 'em to me

Well they took me downtown all dressed in black
Put me on the train and sent me back
Sent me back to the county jail
I had nobody for to go my bail
The judge and the jury they took the stand
The judge held the paper in his right hand
Forty-one days, forty-one nights
Forty-one years to wear the ball and stripes