Lyrics Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

The Sheriff

Big kid Josie rode away

In the sunset covered sky

A lynching mob had strung his friend up

Right before his eyes

He didn't know what they'd both done

He sure as hell would end up hung

Or help to notch the sheriff's gun

If he didn't move on

Get out of here

The sheriff followed Josie's trail

From Kansas City West

He said he'd put a bullet right

Through poor old Josie's chest

But Josie wasn't like the rest

He don't like bullet holes in his vest

In fact he'd do his very best

Don't want any arrest

Don't want to be the guest

Of the sheriff

The nights got so damned cold

He couldn't stand the pace

He looked again for sheriff's men

But couldn't see a trace

Josie found a nice warm place

But then the sheriff solved the case

Poked a gun in Josie's face

And said lookie here...

Sheriff rode him into town

With Josie lookin' sad

He didn't know about the six-gun

Big kid Josie had

Then Josie drew his gun real fast

Gave the sheriff one big blast

Now Josie was retired at last

A legend from the past

Nobody ever messed with the sheriff