CASH ON THE BARRELHEAD
written and originally sung by Ira and Charlie Louvin
also recorded by Gram Parsons, Jim & Jesse, Dreadful Snakes
charted by Bo Frazer
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Verse1:
E
Got in a little trouble, down at the county seat.
B7 E
Lord, they put me in the jailhouse, for loafin' on the street.
When the judge heard the verdict, said I'm a guilty man,
B7 E
He said, "Forty-five dollars, or thirty days in the can."
A E
Said, "That'll be cash on the barrelhead, son;
B7 E
You can make your choice, you're twenty-one.
A E
No money down, no credit plan,
B7 E
No time to chase you, 'cause I'm busy man."
Verse2:
Found a telephone number, on a laundry slip,
And a good-hearted jailer, with a six-gun hip.
He let me call long-distance, she said, "Number, please..."
No sooner than I told her, she shouted out at me,
Said, "That'll be cash on the barrelhead, son,
Not part, not half, but the entire sum.
No money down, no credit plan,
'Cause a little bird tells me, that you're a travellin' man."
Verse3:
Thirty days in the jailhouse, four days on the road,
I was feeling mighty hungry, my feet a heavy load.
Saw a greyhound comin', stuck up my thumb;
Before I got to my seat, the driver caught my arm.
Said, "That'll be cash on the barrelhead, son;
This old grey dog, she's paid to run.
When the engine starts, and the wheels won't roll,
You give me cash on the barrelhead, I'll take you down the road."
[some versions repeat last 4 lines of verse1, and/or tag last line]
