Sheriff John Brown (Studio Version)

Sheriff John Brown just wandered into town Looking for a cripple and a thief A black man and a woman and a lonesome guy like me Just trying to raise the stakes so we can be free The dustballs were blowing the sun it cracked the ground Where could a crime like this ever be found Good people of the town said to sheriff John Brown Go and shoot those invalids right down I said Sheriff No don't you be cruel It could happen to you now What exactly have they done said sheriff John Brown For me to shoot those poor old bastards down Then outstepped the preacher with his hand upon his heart Can't you see that I've been chosen by god And I tell you this for nothing That crowd ain't no good They're standing out just like a sore thumb But yes I do agree said the lawyer on the left I'd kill them now if it were up to me But I said sheriff Don't be cruel It could happen to you now Out into the wilderness the sheriff he did ride Heading for the river bridge the laws you must abide Two hours became three, I knew he would come for me The day grew long and I began to tire John Brown's face appeared from behind the fire Boys and girls whatcho doing gonna be so free The people of the town talk dissapprovingly Don't want to take you in, that's not up to me But I said sheriff Don't be cruel It could happen to you now But guilt and doubt they cloud his mind He thought what exactly is the law He didn't even know what it stood for And who pays the cost for all that is lost Seems to me an impossibility And who says what's right and who says what's wrong Who benefits it sure ain't me And outstepped the woman saying we mean you no harm Come closer and I will read your palm But I said sheriff Don't be cruel It could happen to you now That night he left a long road came back without a rest Knowingly he questionned ??? lawyer on the left Bet you've gone and set them sinners free Well yes replied the sheriff they done nothing wrong My god why can't you people see And the preacher shot him down and his head it hit the ground The last you'll ever see of poor John Brown And the moral of this tale it is simple it is plain People always need someone to blame But I said sheriff Don't be cruel It could happen to you now But I said sheriff Don't be cruel It could happen to you now