CASH ON THE BARRELHEAD
(Ira & Charlie Louvin/Acuff-Rose, BMI, 1956)

I got in a little trouble at the county seat
And they put me in the jailhouse for loafin' on the street.
When the judge heard the verdict, he said, "You're guilty, man."
He gave me forty-five dollars, thirty days in the can.
"That'll be cash on the barrelhead, son,
Not part in cash, the entire sum.
No money down, no credit plan.
Give me cash on the barrelhead. I'm a busy man."

I found a telephone number on a laundry slip.
I had a good-hearted jailer with a six-gun hip.
He let me call long distance. She said, "Number, please."
Just as soon as I told her, she shouted back at me,
"That'll be cash on the barrelhead, son,
Not part in cash, the entire sum.
No money down, no credit plan.
'Cause a little bird tells me you're a travelin' man."

Thirty days in the jailhouse, four days on the road.
I was feelin' mighty hungry. My feet's a heavy load.
I saw a Greyhound comin'. I stuck out my thumb.
Soon as I was seated, the driver caught my arm.
"That'll be cash on the barrelhead, son.
This old gray dog gets paid to run.
When the engine stops and the wheels don't roll,
Give me cash on the barrelhead. I'll take you down the road."

Sung by The Louvin Brothers on "Close Harmony (Disc 3)," 1992
filename[ CASHBARL
XX
mudcat.org

---

PLEASE NOTE: Because of the volunteer nature of The Digital Tradition, it is difficult to ensure proper attribution and copyright information for every song included. Please assume that any song which lists a composer is copyrighted ©. You MUST aquire proper license before using these songs for ANY commercial purpose. If you have any additional information or corrections to the credit or copyright information included, please e-mail those additions or corrections to us (along with the song title as indexed) so that we can update the database as soon as possible. Thank You.