Well, the new sher'ff wrote me a letter
Yes, the new sher'ff wrote me a letter
Come up and see me dead or alive
Come up and see me dead or alive
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive

Well, he even sent me my picture
Yes, he even sent me my picture
How do I look, boys, dead or alive?
How do I look, boys, dead or alive?
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive

Well, he said he would pay expenses
Yes, he said he would pay expenses
Dead or alive, no thank!
New sheriff, I'm a poor boy
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive

Well, he said he would feed and clothe me
Yes, mhe said he would feed and clothe me
Dead or alive, no thanks!
New sheriff, I'm a poor boy
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive

Well, I'm sorry I can't come, sheriff
Yes, I'm sorry but I can't come, sheriff
Dead or alive, no thanks!
New sheriff, I'm a poor boy
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive

I don't like your hard-rock hotel
I don't like your hard-rock hotel
Dead or alive, new sheriff
No thanks, I'm a poor boy
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive

I gotta go down and see my little sweet thing
Gonna go down and see my little sweet thing
Dead or alive, yes, Lord!
No thanks, new sheriff
Dead or alive it's a hard road; it's a hard road dead or alive