Dead or Alive
Lonnie Donegan Lyrics


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Well the new sheriff sent me a letter
Yes the new sheriff sent me a letter
He said, "Come up and see me dead or alive,
Come up and see me dead or alive".

Well it's a hard road dead or alive
It's a hard road dead or alive
Well it's a hard road dead or alive
It's a hard road dead or alive

Well I really don't like your hard rock hotel (yeah) sheriff
Well I really don't like your hard rock hotel, sheriff
Dead or alive, no sheriff
Dead or alive, no sheriff

Well it's a hard road dead or alive
And it's a hard road dead or alive
And it's a hard road dead or alive
And it's a hard road dead or alive

Well he even sent me my picture
(Oh yeah, and hello)
He even sent me my picture
(Yeah yeah)

Hey, how do I look boy (wonderful)
Dead or alive?
How do I look boy (sweet) dead or alive?

It's a hard road dead or alive
It's a hard road dead or alive
Well, it's a hard road dead or alive
And it's a hard road dead or alive

Dead or alive
Dead or alive
Dead or alive
Dead or alive




Dead or alive
Dead or alive

Overall Meaning

In Lonnie Donegan's classic song "Dead or Alive," the singer receives a letter from the new sheriff in town, inviting him to come and see him either dead or alive. The lyrics suggest that the sheriff may be threatening the singer in some way, and the repeated phrase "it's a hard road dead or alive" emphasizes the danger and difficulty of the situation. The singer expresses his dislike for the sheriff's "hard rock hotel" and insists that he won't come to see the sheriff, whether he's dead or alive.


The song is likely a reflection of the tension between law enforcement and the music industry in the 1960s. Rock and roll music was often seen as rebellious and dangerous, and some authorities viewed it as a threat to social order. The lyrics of "Dead or Alive" seem to reflect this tension, with the sheriff representing the conservative forces trying to suppress the singer's music and message.


Overall, "Dead or Alive" is a powerful expression of resistance to authority and the struggle for creative freedom. The lyrics suggest that the singer is willing to face whatever consequences are necessary in order to maintain his artistic integrity and independence.


Line by Line Meaning

Well the new sheriff sent me a letter
The new sheriff sent me a letter


Yes the new sheriff sent me a letter
I received a letter from the new sheriff


He said, "Come up and see me dead or alive, Come up and see me dead or alive".
The sheriff invited me to visit him, either dead or alive


Well it's a hard road dead or alive It's a hard road dead or alive Well it's a hard road dead or alive It's a hard road dead or alive
It's difficult to travel, whether dead or alive


Well I really don't like your hard rock hotel (yeah) sheriff Well I really don't like your hard rock hotel, sheriff Dead or alive, no sheriff Dead or alive, no sheriff
I don't want to be at the sheriff's location, whether alive or dead


Well he even sent me my picture (Oh yeah, and hello) He even sent me my picture (Yeah yeah) Hey, how do I look boy (wonderful) Dead or alive? How do I look boy (sweet) dead or alive?
The sheriff even sent me a picture of myself and asked how I looked, whether dead or alive


Dead or alive Dead or alive Dead or alive Dead or alive Dead or alive Dead or alive
The situation is either dead or alive




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Y, BUFFY SAINTE MARIE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Mike Hannon


on Wabash Cannonball

If you want the donegan lyrics from the recording this link has provided instead of the johnny cash ones they are as fallows;

Wabash Cannonball
by Lonnie Donegan

She came down from Birmingham, one cold December day
As she rolled into the station, you could hear the people say
That train from Indiana, she's long and she's tall...
That’s a combination called the Wabash Cannonball

Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar
As she comes down the mountains through the hills and by the shore
Hear the mighty rush of the engine, hear the lonesome hobos call
He’s racing through the jungle on the Wabash Cannon Ball

From the great Atlantic Ocean to the wide Pacific shore
From the green and flowing mountains to the old mill by the moor
She's long and handsome, and quite well known by all...
That’s a combination called the Wabash Cannonball

Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar
As she comes down the mountains through the hills and by the shore
Hear the mighty rush of the engine, hear the lonesome hobos call
He’s racing through the jungle on the Wabash Cannon Ball

Well here's to that old engineer his name will ever stand
And always be remembered in the courts throughout the land
When his mighty race is over and the curtains 'round him fall...
It'll carry him back to dixie on the Wabash Cannon Ball

Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar
As she comes down the mountains through the hills and by the shore
Hear the mighty rush of the engine, hear the lonesome hobos call
Yeah he’s racing through the jungle on the Wabash Cannon Ball

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