I had a friend named Campbell
He used to rob, steal, and gamble
He tried everything that was low down
He was out tomcattin' one night
When he started a big fight
And a big policeman came and knocked him down

He's in the jailhouse now (he's in the jailhouse now)
He's in the jailhouse now (he's in the jailhouse now)
I told him over again
Quit drinkin' whiskey, they all found gin
He's in the jailhouse now

Now Cambell broke jail one day
Decided he'd go away
Police met him at the train
The cop says I've come for you
Cambell says this won't do
'Cause you know Cambell's never been my name

He's in the jailhouse now (he's in the jailhouse now)
He's in the jailhouse now (he's in the jailhouse now)
Yeah, he broke out
All over town, the fool walked about
He's in the jailhouse now

Now, Cambell had a gal named Sadie
Sadie said where's my baby
I told her he was downtown in the can
She went down to the jail
It was just to go his bail
And she said I come down here to get my man

She's in the jailhouse now (she's in the jailhouse now)
She's in the jailhouse now (she's in the jailhouse now)
Now you understand
Why ol' Sadie's in the can
She's in the jailhouse now

She's in the jailhouse now