Little Sadie

Went out last night to take a little round
Met little Sadie and I blowed her down
Went back home, got into bed
.44 smokeless under my head.

Got up the next morning ‘bout half past nine
Hacks and the buggies a standing in line
Gents and the gamblers standing all around
Takin’ little Sadie to her burying ground.

I begin to think about the deed I done
Grabbed my hat and away I run
Made a good run but a little too show
They overtook me in Jericho

I was standing o the corner reading the bill
Up stepped the sherif Mr. Thomas Hill
Said, “Hey young man, ain’t your name Brown
Remember the night you shot Sadie down?”

I said, “Hey, yes sir, my name is Lee
I shot little Sadie in the first degree
First degree, second degree,
Got any papers won’t you read ‘em to me?

They took me downtown and they dressed me in black
Put me on the train and carried me back
Crammed me down in 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 four days, forty four nights,
Forty four years to wear the ball and stripes.

All young men take my advice
Never take a pretty young girl’s life
It’ll cause you to weep, it’ll cause you to mourn
It’ll cause you to leave your home sweet home.

Instruction on how to play this song can be found in Wayne Erbsen’s book :Clawhammer Banjo for the Complete Ignoramus