Murder In the First Degree

I'm layin' here in this jailhouse, scared as any fool can be

Yes, I'm layin' here in this jailhouse, scared as any fool can be

I believe they're gonna hang me, from what my lawyer said to me

My man got runnin' around with a woman he know I can't stand

My man got runnin' around with a woman he know I can't stand

There's one notch on my gun and the world's rid of one triflin' man

I scrubbed them pots and kettles, I washed

And ironed the white folks' clothes

Yes, I scrubbed them pots and kettles

I washed and ironed the white folks' clothes

And he got it like I made it, I kill him, judge, and that's all I know

Judge, if you would kill your woman and had to come before me

If you'd have killed a woman who trifled and had to come before me

I'd send her to the gallows and, judge, let you go free

I said I ain't done nothin' but kill the man what belonged to me

I said I ain't done nothin' but kill the man what belonged to me

And yet they got me charged with murder in the first degree