Went out one night for to make a little round
I met little Sadie and I shot her down
Went back home, jumped into bed
Forty four pistol under my head

I woke up in the morning 'bout a half past nine
The hacks and the buggies standing in line
Gents and the gamblers standing around
Taking little Sadie to her burying ground

I began to think of what a deed I'd done
I grabbed my hat and away I did run
Made a good run, just a little too slow
They overtook me in Jericho

Standing on the corner, reading the bill
When up stepped the sheriff from Thomasville
He said, miss, is your name Brown?
Remember the night you shot Sadie down?

I said, oh yes sir, but my name is Lee
And I murdered little Sadie in the first degree
First degree and second degree
Got any papers, will you read 'em to me?

So they took me downtown and dressed me in black
Put me on the train and started me back
All the way back to the Thomasville jail
Had no money for to go my bail

The judge and the jury, they took their stand
The judge had the papers in his right hand
Forty one days, and forty one nights
Forty one years to wear the ball and the stripes

Went out one night for to make a little round
I met little Sadie and I shot her down
Went back home, jumped into bed
Forty four pistol under my head