High Sheriff

It was said of the sheriff to Calhoun Parish
Not to ever touch his daughter Anna-Lee,
For to look at her with lustful eyes was certain
To get you a time in the penitentiary.

It was true, she was quite hilarious(?)
It was true, she had eyes for me;
Then one night at a dance she walked up to me
And ask me would I, please, meet her down by the creek

As I listened to her dangerous proposal
I thought about the high sheriff catching me;
As I shook my head quietly and left the party,
I heard her laugh and say "You'll be sorry"

Then came upon my door a loud disturbance,
I opened it to the sheriff and his deputy.
He said, "Son, did you molest my daughter?"
I said, "Sheriff, I do not know of what you speak."

Then he grabbed me roughly by the collar
And he flung me sprawling out into the street;
There were days in the jail with claustrophobia
And all on that kind of a b**** Anna-Lee…

When I finally worked a bar loose from my window
And I made my way into the woods of Calhoun,
Late at night I came upon the cabin;
It was the home of Jaime Cross, a friend I knew.

Would you mind if I sat down at your table
'Cause it's been a while since I've had time to eat
And I'll pay y'all back when I'm able,
But right now the high sheriff is after me.

Written by Tony Joe White
Performed and recorded by Joe Dassin in August 1979, 4/1&2/80
Harp: Tony Joe White
Arrangements and orchestration: Mike Utley
Engineering: Bernard Estardy
(p)1979, Combine Music / Rideau Rouge
[back to english lyrics]

LE DIMANCHE AMERICAIN
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