DEAD OR ALIVE
Cisco Houston/Sonny Terry/Woody Guthrie Lyrics
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Yes, the new sher'ff wrote me a letter
Come up and see me dead or alive
Come up and see me dead or alive
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive
Well, he even sent me my picture
Yes, he even sent me my picture
How do I look, boys, dead or alive?
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive
Well, he said he would pay expenses
Yes, he said he would pay expenses
Dead or alive, no thank!
New sheriff, I'm a poor boy
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive
Well, he said he would feed and clothe me
Yes, mhe said he would feed and clothe me
Dead or alive, no thanks!
New sheriff, I'm a poor boy
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive
Well, I'm sorry I can't come, sheriff
Yes, I'm sorry but I can't come, sheriff
Dead or alive, no thanks!
New sheriff, I'm a poor boy
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive
I don't like your hard-rock hotel
I don't like your hard-rock hotel
Dead or alive, new sheriff
No thanks, I'm a poor boy
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive
I gotta go down and see my little sweet thing
Gonna go down and see my little sweet thing
Dead or alive, yes, Lord!
No thanks, new sheriff
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive
The song "Dead or Alive" is a traditional American folk song with lyrics that were first recorded in the 1930s by Woody Guthrie, but the version most commonly known is by Cisco Houston and Sonny Terry in 1961. The song is about a man who receives a letter from a new sheriff, requesting that he come see him "dead or alive." The man in the song is not willing to go, and he politely declines the invitation. He questions how he looks, and the sheriff assures him that he will be fed, clothed and sustain his expenses, but the man is not interested. After declining the invitation, the man indicates that he dislikes the new sheriff's accommodation and suggests that he will go down to see his "little sweet thing" instead.
The song is not only about the refusal to obey authority and the obligation that comes with the summons from the law, but it is also a highly satirical piece. The phrase "dead or alive" is associated with a wanted poster in the Wild West, where criminals were either dead or alive, and the bounty hunters and sheriffs were expected to bring them to justice. Instead, Woody Guthrie uses the phrase to mock the authorities and imply that the man in the song would not come to see the sheriff under any circumstances. The man is poor but independent, and he does not see any reason to be at the mercy of the law.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the new sher'ff wrote me a letter
The new sheriff sent me a letter.
Yes, the new sher'ff wrote me a letter
I received a letter from the new sheriff.
Come up and see me dead or alive
The new sheriff wants to see me, alive or dead.
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive
Regardless of my fate, it will be a difficult journey.
Yes, he even sent me my picture
The sheriff also included a picture of me in the letter.
How do I look, boys, dead or alive?
I wonder how I appear in the picture, with the possibility of being dead or alive.
Well, he said he would pay expenses
The sheriff offered to cover any expenses I may have.
Dead or alive, no thank!
I am not interested in meeting the sheriff regardless of my state.
New sheriff, I'm a poor boy
I am not wealthy, and cannot afford to comply with the sheriff's demand.
Well, he said he would feed and clothe me
The sheriff offered to provide me with food and clothing.
I'm sorry I can't come, sheriff
I apologize, but I cannot meet with the sheriff.
I don't like your hard-rock hotel
I do not approve of the sheriff's accommodations.
Gonna go down and see my little sweet thing
I am going to visit my loved one.
Dead or alive, yes, Lord!
I am willing to face whatever fate awaits me.
No thanks, new sheriff
I am not interested in meeting with the new sheriff.
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive
Once again, I repeat that this journey will not be easy, no matter my fate.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHN GENZALE
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