I remember last election, (Yeah.)
Jim Jones got in action, (Uh-huh.)
Said he's voting for the man that paid the biggest price
Next day at the poll
He voted with heart and soul
But instead of voting once, he voted twice. (Uh-huh.)
He's in the jailhouse now
He's in the jailhouse now
Stead of him staying at home
Letting those white folks' business alone, (Where he's at now?)
He's in the jailhouse now.
You remember Henry Cruise (Oh, yes.)
That sold that no-good booze
He sold it to the police on the beat
Now Henry's feeling funny
Police give him marked money
He's got a ball and chain 'round his feet
He's in the jailhouse now
He's in the jailhouse now
The judge gave him two years
And Henry's shedding tears
He's in the jailhouse now.
(Play that thing!)
Son was walking down the street. (Yeah?)
A little chick he chanced to meet. (Yeah?)
Went to every cabaret in town
He bought lots of liquor
Troubles got so thicker
Now Son is jailhouse bound
He's in the jailhouse now
He's in the jailhouse now
If he's got a political friend
Judge's sentence he will suspend. (Uh-huh.)
He's in the jailhouse now
Jim Johnson liked to roam around, (Yes.)
Flirt with every gal in town, (Uh-huh.)
Until he flirted with Benny's wife, (Benny Ramey?)
And Benny cut him in the face. (I swear!)
Now it's a disgrace, (That's awful, isn't it?.)
But now he's graveyard bound. (How did Benny do that thing?)
He's in the jailhouse now
He's in the jailhouse now
Benny was his friend
Place of letting that matter end, (Uh-huh.)
He's in the jailhouse now