Sheriff John Brown just wandered into town
Looking for a cripple and a thief
A black man and a woman and a lonesome guy like me
Just trying to raise the stakes so we can be free
The dustballs were blowing the sun, it cracked the ground
Where could a crime like this ever be found
Good people of the town said to sheriff John Brown
"Go and shoot those invalids right down"

But I said "Sheriff, no don't you be cruel, it could happen to you now"

"What exactly have they done" said sheriff John Brown
"For me to shoot those poor old bastards down?"
Then outstepped the preacher with his hand upon his heart
"Can't you see that I've been chosen by God?
And I tell you this for nothing that crowd ain't no good
They're standing out just like a sore thumb"
"But yes, I do agree" said the lawyer on the left
"I'd kill them now if it were up to me"

But I said "Sheriff, don't be cruel, it could happen to you now"

Out into the wilderness the sheriff he did ride
Heading for the river bridge the laws you must abide
Two hours became three, I knew he would come for me
The day grew long and I began to tire
John Brown's face appeared from behind the fire
"Boys and girls what 'cha doing, gonna be so free
The people of the town talk dissapprovingly
Don't want to take you in, that's not up to me"

I said "Sheriff, don't be cruel, it could happen to you now"

But guilt and doubt they cloud his mind
He thought what exactly is the law
He didn't even know what it stood for
And who pays the cost for all that is lost
Seems to me an impossibility
And who says what's right and who says what's wrong
Who benefits? It sure ain't me
And outstepped the woman saying "We mean you no harm
Come closer and I will read your palm"

But I said "Sheriff, no don't you be cruel, it could happen to you now"

That night he left a long road, came back without a rest
Knowingly he questioned the lawyer on the left
"Bet you've gone and set them sinners free"
"Well, yes" replied the sheriff "They done nothing wrong
My god, why can't you people see?"
And the preacher shot him down and his head it hit the ground
The last you'll ever see of poor John Brown

And the moral of this tale, it is simple, it is plain
People always need someone to blame

But I said "Sheriff, no don't you be cruel, it could happen to you now"

But I said "Sheriff, no don't you be cruel, it could happen to you now"