Early one mornin' while makin' the rounds
Took a transfusion, and I shot my woman down
Went right home, and I went to bed
I stuck that lovin' .44 beneath my head
Got up next mornin' and I grabbed that gun
Took a transfusion and away, I run
Made a good run, but I run too slow
They overtook me down in Juarez, Mexico
Late in the hot joints takin' the pills
In walked the sheriff from Jericho Hill
He said, "Willy Lee, your name is not Jack Brown
You're the dirty hack that shot your woman down"
Said, "Yes, oh-yes, my name is Willy Lee
If you've got a warrant just-a read it to me
Shot her down because she made me slow
I thought I was her daddy, but she had five more"
When I was arrested, I was dressed in black
Put me on a train and they took me back
Had no friends for to go my bail
They slapped my dried up carcass in that county jail
Into the courtroom my trial began
Where I was handled by 12 honest men
Just before the jury started out
I saw the little judge commenced to look about
In about five minutes, in walked the man
Holding the verdict in his right hand
Verdict read in the first degree
I hollered, "Lowdy, Lowdy, have a mercy on me"
The judge he smiled as he picked up his pen
99 years in the San Quentin pen
99 years underneath that ground
I can't forget the day I shot my woman down
Come on, you gotta listen unto me
Lay off that liquor, and let that transfusion be!
