This is an earlier version, sung to a different tune than the familiar one for LITTLE SADIE. Instead of the desperate hard-driving rhythm, it is sung slower and more mournfully.

PENITENTIARY BLUES
As recorded by Ernest "Buddy" Baker on Victor 21549-A, 1928.

[scat verse, semi-yodeling]

Now late one night, I made my round.
I met my woman and I blowed her down.
I went on home and I went in to bed.
I stuck my pistol in up under my head.

Early next mornin', by the risin' sun,
I got up, well, I started to run.
I made a run but I run too slow,
'Cause a man overtook me down in Jericho.

Standin' on the corner, readin' my father's will,
Along come a man; they called him Bad Texas Bill.
He says: "Now, look-a here, Billy, ain't your name Lee Brown?
I b'lieve you' the rascal blowed your woman down."

"Yes sir, Cap', my name is Lee.
Now, if you got any blues, why, sing 'em to me."
He says: "Well, now, boy, I b'lieve that you know the best.
You better come go with me; the judge'll tell you the rest."

When I was arrested I was dressed in black.
They put me on the train and they brought me back.
Wasn't a man in town had to go my bail.
They locked me up in that old county jail.

Now, early one mornin', 'bout half past nine,
I spied a chief o' police comin' down the line.
I heared that ol' chief when he cleared up his throat.
He say: "Get ready, Lee Brown, for that circuit cou't."

That circuit cou't had been commenced.
Twelve big jurymen come steppin' hence.
In five minutes up stepped a man.
He was holdin' my verdic' in his right hand.

That verdic' read: "Murder in the first degree."
Cried: "Lord in heaven, have some mercy on me!"
See that old judge when he picked up his pen.
He say: "I don't think you'll never kill a woman again.

"Killin' these [here] women, boy, has nach'lly got to stop.
I don't know whether to tell 'em for to hang you or not.
I'll give you ninety-nine years on the hard, hard ground.
You'll remember the night you blowed your woman down."

Here I am bowed down in shame.
I got a number instead of a name.
I'll be here the rest o' my life.
All I done was kill one wife.
Lord help me!


[Sam McGee later sang this version, with lyrics very similar to these, on "Grand Dad of the Country Guitar Pickers" 1971. His lyrics have been posted here.]