He's in the Jailhouse Now Lyrics

I remember last election
Sam Jones got in action
Said he'd vote for the man who paid the biggest price
The next day at the polls
He voted with heart and soul
But instead of voting once he voted twice
He's in the jailhouse now
He's in the jailhouse now
Instead of staying at home
Leaving the white folks' business alone
He's in the jailhouse now

You remember Henry Crew
He sold that no good brew
Sold it to the police on the beat
Now Henry's feeling funny
The police gave him marked money
Now he's got a ball and chain around his feet

He's in the jailhouse now
He's in the jailhouse now
The judge gave him two years
And Henry shed a tear
He's in the jailhouse now
Old Tom was walking down the street
A little girl he chanced to meet
Took her to every cabaret in town
He spent his money on liquor
His trouble's getting thicker
And now he's jailhouse bound

He's in the jailhouse now
He's in the jailhouse now
If he's got a political friend
The judge's sentence he will suspend
He's in the jailhouse now
Jim Johnson liked to run around
Flirt with every girl in town
Until one day he flirted with Benny's wife
[She was ugly]
Benny cut him in the face
It was a bad disgrace
And now he's graveyard bound

He's in the jailhouse now
He's in the jailhouse now
It was his friend
That let this matter end
He's in the jailhouse now