Dead or Alive
Woody Guthrie Lyrics


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Well, the new sher'ff wrote me a letter
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?
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

Overall Meaning

The song "Dead or Alive" by Woody Guthrie is about a poor boy who receives a letter from the new sheriff inviting him to come see him, dead or alive. The lyrics are filled with sarcasm and defiance towards the sheriff's invitation. The new sheriff is clearly trying to intimidate the poor boy, but he remains unbothered and refrains from accepting the offer.


The poor boy is not afraid of the sheriff and understands that this offer is not genuine. He does not want to be a puppet to the sheriff’s deception and decline the offer. In the lyrics, Guthrie highlights the difficulties of being poor and the hardships that poor people face daily. The poor boy has nothing to lose, but his pride and he will not allow the sheriff to trample on it.


The song is a commentary on the justice system and how people in power abuse it to control and manipulate the poor. It highlights the lack of trust and respect that the poor have towards authority figures. The poor boy understands that the new sheriff is not interested in helping him, and his only intention is to use him for his own selfish gain.


Overall, this song embodies the spirit of rebellion and the fight against oppression. The poor boy may not have much, but he has his dignity, and he refuses to let anyone take that away from him.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, the new sher'ff wrote me a letter
The new sheriff got in touch with me.


Yes, the new sher'ff wrote me a letter
I confirm that the new sheriff wrote to me.


Come up and see me dead or alive
The sheriff wants to see me for some reason, whether I'm alive or dead.


Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive
It doesn't matter whether I'm dead or alive, life is tough either way.


Yes, he even sent me my picture
The sheriff went as far as to send me a picture of myself.


How do I look, boys, dead or alive?
The sheriff wants to know how I look, whether I'm alive or dead, and is sarcastically addressing his 'boys' with this question.


Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive
Once again, life is hard, regardless of whether I'm dead or alive.


Yes, he said he would pay expenses
The sheriff is willing to pay for my expenses to come see him.


Dead or alive, no thank! New sheriff, I'm a poor boy
I'm refusing to come, even if the sheriff pays for everything, and also reminding him of my poverty status.


Well, he said he would feed and clothe me
The sheriff offered to feed and clothe me if I come to see him.


Dead or alive, no thanks! New sheriff, I'm a poor boy
I'm once again refusing, even if I get free food and clothing, and emphasizing my financial struggle.


Yes, I'm sorry but I can't come, sheriff
I'm apologizing to the sheriff for not being able to come.


Dead or alive, no thanks! New sheriff, I'm a poor boy
I'm once again declining the invitation, even if it means risking my life, and mentioning my poverty one more time.


I don't like your hard-rock hotel
I'm expressing my dislike for the sheriff's accommodations.


Dead or alive, new sheriff No thanks, I'm a poor boy
I'm declining yet again, emphasizing that I don't like the accommodations and that I can't afford anything better.


Gonna go down and see my little sweet thing
I'm stating my intention to go see my sweetheart.


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
I'm acknowledging that life can be tough, but I'm adamantly refusing the sheriff's invitation and emphasizing my eagerness to see my sweetheart instead.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHN GENZALE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

floydy opz

Nobody can outdo Woodrow Wilson Guthrie for Integrity, Humanity, Soul & Vibe - Blessings!

Ben Moore

Love it, I see this as one killer hardcore blues song, 0.0. ,original outlaws

Oliver Dickinson

Lonnie Donegan did a pretty good version of this song.

Buttermilkjug

Woody is special~

annony most

Wish our Amerikan folk music would be taught in school ....in Civics...but for Dog sake...dont hardly think they even teach that anymore. I trust and pray....there are teens who are into this....like how Jack white hopefully got kids into Blues....( 30's....20's)....who is gonna get the kids into this part of our folk history....the REAL history....because....it seems like things are never gonna change .....and the bit of patriotism in Woody's music along with the revolutionary ideals....is completely lost. It is not the politicians fault in Amerika......these days...it is the citizens fault for allowing history to repeat itself....an offering nothing to remedy.

Alex Hundley

Woody Guthrie I'll meet you one day

lockdown dolls house

Smashing

🎸Phenix Returns 🔥

Hallyday for the rock version

ajack2boys

This link is to Van Morrison's barrel house version of this song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlTOd7AQ1cs

tellymonstaa

Dang this sounds old

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