In the Jailhouse Now

I had an old friend name Campbell

Campbell used to steal and gamble

Made his living cheating all the while (yessir)

Had a little game he called euchre

Blackjack dice and poker

Thought he was the smartest dude in town

But I just found out Monday

Campbell got locked up Sunday

They got him in the jailhouse down in town

They got Campbell in the jail

No one to go his bail

That judge he won't accept no fine (they got'm)

He's in the jailhouse now

He's in the jailhouse now

I told Campbell once or twice

Stop playing cards and shooting dice

He's up on Broad Street now

(he's hardheaded, pay nobody no mind but they got'm)

I remember last election

When the white folks was in action

Trying to get theyself a president

A colored man by the name of Bill Austin

Walked from New York to Boston

Just to find a colored sentiment

Now my brother Bill's a voter

Bill's a great promoter

Always looking for some good advice

So they told Bill to go to the polls

And vote ????

Instead of voting once the fool voted twice (that settled it)

He's on the rock pile now

He's on the rock pile now

I told Bill to stay at home

And let other people's business alone

He's down in Woodruff now

(Hardheaded you know, wouldn't pay nobody no mind but they got to put him somewhere.

He ain't like me)

I walked up to town on Friday

I met a girl named Idey

I thought she was the prettiest girl in town (mmmmm)

She began to call me honey

And I began to spend all my money

We walked into a swell café and set down

Folks, I made sure I were in it

I was spending every minute

Buying white whiskey homebrew and wine everything by the quart

But when I went to pay that man

I found that lady's hand

In my pocket where my money was (that settled it)

She's in the graveyard now

She's in the graveyard now

I told the judge to his face

That woman's hand was out of place

She's in the apeyard now