BAD MAN'S BLUNDER
(Lee Hays / Cisco Houston)

The Kingston Trio

Also recorded by :
White Mountain Singers


Well early one evenin' I was rolling around
I was feelin' kinda mean I shot a deputy down,
Strolled along home and I went to bed
Well I laid my pistol up under my head.

(He strolled along home) I took my time.
(And he went to bed) Thought I'd sleep some.
(Laid his pistrol) Big 22".
(Up under his head) I keep it handy.

Well early in the mornin' bout the break of day
I figured it was time to make a getaway
Steppin' right along but I was steppin' too slow
Got surrounded by a sheriff down in Mexico

(Well he was steppin' right along) I were a hot-footin' it.
(But he was steppin' too slow) It was a sultry day.
(Got surrounded by a sheriff) Boxed in.
(In Mexico) I didn't even have a chance to see the country.

When I was arrested well I didn't have a dime
The sheriff said, 'Son you're riding free this time.
'Where you're going you won't need a cent
Cause the great state of Texas gonna pay your rent.'

(Cause where you're going) I think he means jail.
(You won't need a cent) Well he knows I'm broke.
(Cause the great state of Texas) Yippee!
(Gonna pay your rent) I'm mighty grateful fellas.

Well I didn't have a key and I didn't have a file.
Naturally I stayed around until my trial.
Judge was an old man, Ninety-three
And I didn't like the way the jury looked at me.

(Well the judge was an old man) Too old.
(Ninety-three) Entirely too old.
I didn't like the way..the jury looked at me.
I think they were suspicious.

(The judge and jury they did agree)
(They all said murder in the first degree)
(The judge said same)
'Well I dunno whether to hang you or not, 
but this here killin' of deputy sheriffs has just naturally got to stop.'
[You gotta point there judge.]

It was a most unsatisfactory trial.
They gave me ninety-nine years on the hard rock pile.
Ninety and nine on the hard rock ground
And all I ever did was shoot a deputy down.

(Ninety and nine) It could have been life.
(On the hard rock pile) They might-a hung me.
(And all he ever did...was shoot a deputy down...)
This whole thing has sure been a lesson to me.
[Bang! You're dead!]