'Twas on one Saturday evening about the hour of ten
In a little mining town where trouble did begin
Everybody there were drinking, there were whisky everywhere
Dewey Lee got to thinking he had no business there

He was so tall and handsome, his heart so true and brave
Joe Jenkins pulled his pistol and sent him to his grave
He took the life of Dewey when life had just begin
And Dewey went to heaven while Joe went to the pen

He took the life of Dewey because, he would not tell
We know he murdered Dewey, for here his pistol fell
His mother sits now weeping, she weeps and mourns all day
She prays to meet her boy in a better world some day

So hearken to my story and what I have to say
Get right with your maker, we'll meet him again some day
But first to Stand up, boy, and listen to your crime
They sent him down to Richmond to serve out his time

Young men, all take warning, for this you must have guilt
Don't take the life of anyone for life you cannot give
You may possess great riches like many beneath the sod
But money won't hire a lawyer when you stand before your God