I was standin’ on the corner
Did not mean no harm
I was standin’ on the corner, mama
Did not mean no harm
And the police came
Nabbed me by my arm

Every prosecutor questioned me, partner
The clerk, he wrote it down
The prosecutor questioned me, partner
The clerk, he wrote it down
They don’t give me one chance
But here I was to leave this town

[Cornet solo: Louis Armstrong]

As I got to the Bridewell
Fell down on my knees
And I got through the Bridewell
Fell down on my knees
Lord, kill me jailer
Kill me please

They [?] me to the [?] quarry
I was standing in the door, I just couldn’t [?]
They [?] me to the [?] quarry
I was standing in the door
As they threw me this way, people
You know I’ve been here before