Now, I was settin' in jail, with my eyes all full of tears Now, I was settin' in jail, with my eyes all full of tears You know I'm glad I didn't get lifetime, boys, and I escaped the electric chair Now, I consulted lawyers, and I know durned well I was wrong Now, I consulted lawyers, and I know durned well I was wrong You know I couldn't get a white man in Brownsville, yes, to even say they would go my bond Now, the sheriff, he arrested me, and he marched me 'round in front of the circuit court Now, the sheriff, he arrested me, you know he marched me 'round in front of the circuit court You know I knowed this thing was gettin' kind of squirrelly, I heard the city judge when he cleared up his throat "Now, no more stew bowl, yes, and neither no more white rice "Now, no more stew bowl, yes, and neither no more white rice Now, y'all need not be uneasy, you won't have to take the workhouse advice"