Badman Ballad: Lyrics

Cisco Houston & Lee Hays

• CD Best of the Vanguard Years
• LP The Cisco Special

Early one evening I was rollin' around
I was feelin' kind of mean
I shot a deputy down
Strolled along home
and I went to bed
I laid me pistol up under my head

He strolled on home
(I took my time)
And he went to bed
(Thought I'd sleep some)
Laid his pistol
(Big forty-four)
Up under his head
(I keep it handy)

Early in the morning at the break of day
I figured it was time to make a getaway
I was steppin' right along
but I was steppin' too slow
Got surrounded by a sheriff down in Mexico

He was steppin' right along
(I was hot-footin' it)
but he was steppin' too slow
(It was a hot day)
Got surrounded by a sheriff
(Boxed in)
In Mexico
(I didn't even have a chance to see the country)

When I was arrested, I didn't have a dime
The sheriff said, "Son, you're ridin' free this time
Where you're goin' you won't need a cent
'cause the great state of Texas gonna pay your rent"

'Cause where you're goin'
(I think he means jail)
You won't need a cent
(Well, he knows I'm broke)
'Cause the great state of Texas
(Um-hmmm!)
Is gonna pay your rent
(I'm mighty grateful)

Well, I didn't have a key and I didn't have a file
Natur'lly I stayed around until my trial
The judge was an old man -- ninety-three
and I didn't like the way the jury looked at me

The judge was an old man
(Too old)
Ninety-three
(Entirely too old)
I didn't like the way the jury looked at me
(I think they were suspicious)

The judge and the jury, they did agree
They all said murder in the first degree
The judge said:
"I don't know whether to hang you or not,
  but this-here killing of deputy
  sheriffs has just naturally got to stop!"

(You've got a point there, judge!)

It was a most unsatisfactory trial
They gave me ninety-nine years on the hard rock pile
Ninety and nine on the hard rock ground
All I ever did was shoot a deputy down

Ninety and nine
(It could have been life)
On the hard rock ground
(They might-a hung me)
And all he ever did
was shoot a deputy down
(This whole thing has sure been a lesson to me)
      

Of Note:

The Kingston Trio recorded Houston's "Bad Man Blunder" in 1960, at the high-point of their career. The song was released as a single (5-30-1960) with "Escape of Old John Webb" on the "B" side. This single charted at #37. "Bad Man Blunder" was subsequently issued on the Trio's next LP, "String Along" (7-25-1960.) The LP was certified "Gold" by the RIAA on 6-27-62. The choice to record this Houston song in the manner here-described was motivated by Houston's poor health at the time. The Trio wanted to do something for this artist who had contributed so much to the folk movement, but had somehow failed to receive the commercial recognition one would expect for a talent of his magnitude. Houston received significant royalties from the success of this song at a time when the money was much needed.
Jerry Kergan (whose The Kingston Trio LINER NOTES web site seems to have disappeared.)

We welcome any suggestions, contributions, or questions. You send it, we'll consider using it. Help us spread the word. And the music. And thanks for visiting.