Story Behind The Song
"Little Sadie" is a 20th Century American folk ballad. It tells the story of a man who is apprehended after shooting his wife/girlfriend. He is then sentenced by a judge. The lyrics are public domain, and I've written a new blues arrangement here.
| Song Length |
2:18 |
Genre |
Blues - Rural, Folk - Rural |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Gloomy, Troubled |
Subject |
Murder, Rape, Dysfunctional Relations |
| Similar Artists |
Johnny Cash, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds |
Language |
English |
| Era |
1900 - 1920 |
| |
Lyrics
Went out last night to take a little round
I met my little Sadie and I shot her down
I run right home, I went to bed
44 pistol under my head
I began to think what a deed I'd done
I grabbed my hat and away I run
I made a good run, just a little too slow
They overtook me in Jericho
Standing on the corner reading the bill
Up stepped the Sheriff from Thomasville
Says "Young Man, is your name is Brown? Remember the night you shot Sadie down?"
I said "Yes sir my name is Lee
And I murdered Little Sadie in the first degree
First and second degree
If you got any papers, why don't you read 'em to me..."
Now he took me downtown and dressed me in black
They put me on a train and they sent me back
Had no one to go for my bail
Crammed me in the back of the county jail
Judge & jury shook that damn
Judge had his papers in his right hand
41 days and 41 nights
41 years to wear the ball and stripes
Wear the ball and stripes