In the land of Breathed County was raised a crooked man

Made the county dry and the prices high

For the bootleg whiskey man

His age was barely twenty-one, his family was ashamed

They had a son who left his home 

For a bootleg whiskey game



   Bootleg John won't you come on home

   Your family's all alone

   You're runnin' wild and your baby child

   Wants his daddy home



His wife she loved hime dearly tho' he seldom came around

She'd always cry when he said goodbye

But she never could hold him down

Twelve pistols in his pocket his shotgun on the floor

He made his run to Lexington 

To the bootleg whiskey store



His car was full of whiskey, his hand was on his gun

He was set to go but he didn't know

He was makin' his last run

The sheriff pulled him over and he shot the lawman down

They locked him well in the county jail

And the jailer slapped him down