I've reformatted your song to make it easier to read:


PERRY BELL

Well, come on, you young people, and listen while I tell
The story of a young man. His name was Perry Bell.
Also that of a sheriff, his name we all know well.
Just how they made their acquaintance is very sad to tell.

The sheriff was dark and handsome. Perry Bell was fair and gay.
His home was up in Georgia, not very far away.
But on that fatal morning, as he was leaving home,
Little did he think then that he'd be gone so long.

It was on one summer's evening, the sun was going down.
The sheriff had a summons to go out north of town.
He reached his destination. He made his business known.
He said, "You are my prisoner. The jailhouse is your home."

And so he met the stranger out near the Strickland farm.
He said, "Why do you want me? I've surely done no harm."
The sheriff was in a hurry. With Bell he would not agree,
And in another instant, had shot him to his knee.

But as young Bell was rising, he drew his German gun,
And what was done that instant, can never be undone.
He killed the Ozark sheriff that fatal summer night.
He would not heed his pleading to do just what was right.

And so the tragedy happened out on the Asbury Road.
He was a lonely stranger, didn't know where to make his abode.
He scrambled into a farmhouse and fell across the bed.
"I am so very wounded, please bathe my aching head."

The officers they arrived soon and carried him off to jail.
For fifteen months he stayed there without a chance for bail.
[At least 2 lines missing here.]

The doctor made his visits around the county jail.
He found him wounded, bleeding, without a chance for bail.
He dressed his wounds so careful, for he was very mild.
How well did he remember 'twas some dear mother's child.

They had their jury paneled. To them they did proclaim.
Some of them said, "We'll punish him." Some said, "It is a shame."
And so that noble jury, they never could agree.
To give this man his freedom 'twas madness now, you see.

And to the lonely widow, I'll surely wish her well.
I hope she'll hold no malice toward young Perry Bell,
But point him to the Savior who doeth all things well.
He suffered mental anguish, no human tongue can tell.