Tony Joe White - High Sheriff of Calhoun Parish lyrics

It was said of the sheriff to Calhoun Parish Not to ever touch his daughter Emily For to look at her with lustful eyes was certain To get you a time in the penitentiary It was true, she was quite voluptuous And it was true, she had eyes for me Then one night at a dance she walked up to me And ask me would I 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 and quietly left the party I heard her laugh and say, "You'll be sorry" Then there 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 account of that wench Emily Well, I finally worked a bar loose from the window And made my way into the woods of Calhoun Late that night I came upon a cabin It was the home of Harham Cross, a friend I knew Would you all 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 You see Ooh