He was born in the big iron city Deep in the heart of Dixie, yes he was now Raised on the good Book Taught to take a good look at what's going on His daddy was Birmingham lawman A servant of the people through and through They say blood is thicker than water So the boy got a badge and a suit of blue
He was long on southern justice Practiced his law out on the street Drew the line for the criminal mind to see Dedicated to keep God's children free
There are two sides to every big city And he walked on the side that wasn't pretty A solitary ranger He had to deal with the danger 'round every turn Every day was a tightrope of decision Between a forty-four and a heart of gold Some of those hard case confrontations Would ct him like a switch-blade to his soul
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Late one night down on Crack Street Alley He walked up on a bad deal goin' down He knew what he'd done When he saw that shotgun swing around He drew then froze in hesitation When he saw that fourteen year old face Then the fire from that shotgun barrel Blew all his burdens away Blew his burdens away