Choose a **free download** when you join The Rosinators' mailing list Tradtional song first recorded by Clarence (Tom) Ashley in 1930 and covered by Dylan on his 'Self Portrait' album in 1970.
Traditional appalachian murder ballad, first recorded
by Clarence (Tom) Ashley in 1930, which tells the
story of Lee Brown from North Carolina.
Read the story behind the song @
Little Sadie lyrics and song history
Little Sadie
trad.arr The Rosinators
Went out last night for to make a little round
I met Little Sadie and I blowed her down
Went back home and I got into bed
Forty-four smokeless under my head
Woke up next mornin' bout a half past nine
The hacks and the buggies all standing in line
Gents and the gamblers all standing around
Taking Little Sadie to her burying ground
And I got to thinkin' what a deed I done,
I grabbed my hat and away I run.
Made a good run, but a little too slow,
They overtook me in Jericho.
I's a standing on the corner reading the bill
When up stepped the sheriff from Thomasville,
Said, "Young man, ain't your name Brown?
Remember that night you blowed Sadie down."
I said "Yes Sir, my name is Lee,
I murdered little Sadie in the first degree,
First degree and second degree,
If you got any papers, won't you read 'em to me?"
They took me downtown and dressed me in black
Put me on a train and they sent me back
Crammed me back into the Thomasville Jail
Got no money for to go my bail
The judge and the jury they took their stand
The judge held the papers in his right hand
Forty-one days, forty-one nights
Forty-one years to wear the ball and stripes
Forty-one years to wear the ball and stripes
see Little Sadie lyrics and song history