Cocaine Blues
The Folsom Prison Gang Lyrics
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I took a shot of cocaine and shot my woman down
I went right home and I went to bed
I stuck that lovin′ forty-four beneath my head.
Got up next mornin' and I grabbed that gun
Took a shot of cocaine and away I run
Made a good run but I run too slow
They overtook me down in Juarez Mexico.
In walked a sheriff from Jericho Hill
He said Willy Lee your name is not Jack Brown
You′re the dirty hack that shot your woman down.
I said yes sir my name is Willie Lee
If you′ve got a warrant just read it to me
Shot her down cause she made me slow
I thought I was her daddy but she had five more.
When I was arrested I was dressed in black
They put me on a train and they took me back
Had no friends for to go my bail
They slapped my dried up carcass in the county jail.
Early next morning about a half past nine
I spied a sheriff comin' down the line
Coughed and coughed as he cleared his throat
He said come on you dirty hack into that district court
Into the court room my trial began
Where I was handled by twelve honest men
Just before the jury started out
I saw that little judge commence to look about.
In about five minutes in walked a man
Holding the verdict in his right hand
The verdict read in the first degree
I hollered Lordy Lordy have mercy on me
The judge he smiled as he picked up his pen
Ninety nine years in the Folsom pen
Ninety nine years underneath that ground
I can′t forget the day I shot that bad bitch down
Come on you gotta listen unto me
Lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be
The Folsom Prison Gang's "Cocaine Blues" is a classic cautionary tale about the perils of drug use and the consequences of one's actions. The lyrics tell the story of a man named Willie Lee who takes a shot of cocaine while on his rounds, then goes home and shoots his woman. He runs away but is eventually caught in Mexico and brought back to the United States. During the trial, he confesses to the crime and is sentenced to 99 years in the Folsom Prison.
The song is a powerful commentary on the dangers of drug use and the ways in which it can drive people to commit violent acts that they might not otherwise be capable of. It is a cautionary tale that serves as a reminder of the impact that drug addiction can have on people's lives, and of the importance of seeking help and support when struggling with addiction.
In addition to its powerful message, "Cocaine Blues" is also a classic example of the outlaw country genre, which emerged in the 1960s and 1970s and was characterized by its rough, gritty sound and themes of anti-authoritarianism and rebellion. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Johnny Cash, who famously performed it during his legendary Folsom Prison concert in 1968.
Line by Line Meaning
Early one mornin′ while makin' the rounds
In the early morning, while performing my routine duties
I took a shot of cocaine and shot my woman down
I consumed cocaine and murdered my partner
I went right home and I went to bed
I returned home and went to sleep after committing the crime
I stuck that lovin′ forty-four beneath my head.
I kept my .44 caliber pistol close to me while sleeping
Got up next mornin' and I grabbed that gun
The next morning, I picked up my gun
Took a shot of cocaine and away I run
I consumed cocaine and fled the scene
Made a good run but I run too slow
I ran as fast as I could, but I couldn't escape
They overtook me down in Juarez Mexico.
I was caught by law enforcement in Juarez, Mexico
Laid in the hot joint takin' the pill
I was incarcerated in a hot prison and consumed drugs
In walked a sheriff from Jericho Hill
A sheriff from Jericho Hill entered the facility
He said Willy Lee your name is not Jack Brown
The sheriff informed me that my alias was not Jack Brown
You′re the dirty hack that shot your woman down.
The sheriff accused me of being the person who murdered my partner
I said yes sir my name is Willie Lee
I admitted that my name was Willie Lee
If you′ve got a warrant just read it to me
I asked the sheriff to present a warrant for my arrest
Shot her down cause she made me slow
I confessed to the murder, explaining that my partner made me less efficient
I thought I was her daddy but she had five more.
I believed that I was the father of her child, but she had other partners
When I was arrested I was dressed in black
I was wearing black clothing when I was taken into custody
They put me on a train and they took me back
I was put on a train to return to my place of incarceration
Had no friends for to go my bail
I had no friends who could post bail for me
They slapped my dried up carcass in the county jail.
I was incarcerated in the county jail
Early next morning about a half past nine
The following morning, around 9:30 am
I spied a sheriff comin' down the line
I saw a sheriff approaching
Coughed and coughed as he cleared his throat
The sheriff cleared his throat by coughing repeatedly
He said come on you dirty hack into that district court
The sheriff directed me to go to the district court
Into the court room my trial began
My trial started in the courtroom
Where I was handled by twelve honest men
Twelve honest men served on the jury
Just before the jury started out
Before the jury began deliberating
I saw that little judge commence to look about.
The judge looked around the courtroom
In about five minutes in walked a man
A man entered the courtroom after about five minutes
Holding the verdict in his right hand
He held the verdict in his right hand
The verdict read in the first degree
The verdict found me guilty of first-degree murder
I hollered Lordy Lordy have mercy on me
I cried out for mercy
The judge he smiled as he picked up his pen
The judge smiled as he picked up his pen to sentence me
Ninety nine years in the Folsom pen
I was sentenced to 99 years in Folsom State Prison
Ninety nine years underneath that ground
I will spend 99 years in prison, buried beneath the ground
I can′t forget the day I shot that bad bitch down
The memory of murdering my partner haunts me
Come on you gotta listen unto me
I urge you to pay attention
Lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be
I advise you to avoid alcohol and cocaine
Writer(s): T.j. Red Arnall
Contributed by Cameron I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.