Murder in the First Degree

Well, I'm layin' here in this jailhouse, scared as any fool can be
Well, I'm layin' here in this jailhouse, scared as any fool can be
I believe they're gonna hang me, from what my lawyer said to me

My man got runnin' around with a woman he know I can't stand
My man got runnin' around with a woman he know I can't stand
There's one notch on my gun, and the world's rid of one triflin' man

I scrubbed them pots and kettles, I washed and ironed them white folks' clothes
I scrubbed them pots and kettles, I washed and ironed them white folks' clothes
Any charge that I'm makin', I killed him, Judge, and that's all I know

Judge, if you had killed your woman, and had to come before me
If you'da killed a woman who trifled and had to come before me
I'd send her to the gallows, and, Judge, would let you go free

I said I ain't done nothin but killed a man what belonged to me
I said I ain't done nothin but killed a man what belonged to me
And here they got me charged with murder in the first degree