Cash On The Barrelhead

Got in a little trouble at the county seat

Lawd, they put me in the jail house for loafing on the street

When the judge heard the verdict I was a guilty man

He said forty-five dollars or thirty days in the can

Said, that'll be cash on the barrelhead, son

You can take your choice you're twenty-one

No money down, no credit plan

No time to chase you cause I'm a busy man

Found a telephone number on a laundry slip

I had a good hearted jailer with a six gun hip

He let me call long distance, she said number please

And no sooner than I told her, she shouted out at me

That'll be cash on the barrelhead son

Not part not half but the entire sum

No money down, no credit plan

Cause a little bird told me, you're a travellin' man

Thirty days in the jailhouse, four days on the road

I was feeling mighty hungry my feet a heavy load

Saw a greyhound coming stuck up my thumb

Just as I was being seated, the driving caught my arm

Said that'll be cash on the barrelhead son

This old gray dog gets paid to run

When the engine starts, lawd, the wheels won't roll

Give me cash on the barrelhead I'll take you down the road