They had a warrant out for me all over the country
And I was trying to beat the raps in Idaho
I was breaking into a schoolhouse Sunday morning without warning
When I saw the sheriff coming for me slow from down below

His steel gray eyes were blazing when he saw me
His hand was on his gun when he rode up
He said, "You killed that woman, I know you shot her, why'd you do it?
I'm taking you to Austin, then I'm gonna lock you up"

Well, he tied me with a plow line the next morning
And he had me deep in Texas the next day
A crazy screaming lynch mob waited in the streets of Austin
But he put me in the jail house and he threw the key away

A jury found me guilty three months later
Twelve evil men with murder in their eyes
They even took me out and said, "Now show us where you killed her"
And that wicked judge said, "Now I hereby sentence you to die"

But here I am far away from Austin prison
My friend, the jailer handed me a file
Now all I want between me and there are a lot of friendly people
And miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles