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