I was playing for a party, one night just about twelve o-clock I was playing for a party, one night just about twelve o'clock Someone knocked on the door and said he was a police cop The police walked in, catches everybody with his gla** in their hands The police walks in, catches everybody with a gla** in their hands He said, "I'm gonna carry all you women, and I'm bound to take all you men" He sent his partner to call the wagon, whilst we all sat good and quiet He sent his partner to call the wagon, whilst we all sat good and quiet 'Cause it wasn't no use of worryin', we all know we had to take a ride They carried us to Maxwell Street Station, put us in cell two-oh-two They carried us to Maxwell Street Station, put us in cell two-oh-two I hollered black (sic) to my friends, says, "Boys, don't let that happen to you"
We played cards all night, boys, how did we roll them bones We played cards all night, boys, how did we roll them bones It wasn't no use of worryin', we'd know we couldn't get back home They come and got us the next morning, carried us to Desplaines Street Station 2 They come and got us the next morning, carried us to Desplaines Street Station 2 When we got down in the basement, we was handcuffed two-by-two Then they carried us 'fore the Judge, he said, "I'm gonna give you a break and let you go" Then they carried us before the Judge, he said, "I'm gonna give you a break and let you go You gotta stay away from them moonshine parties, and don't come front 'fore me no more"