“Oh, help me in my weakness”
 I heard the drifter say
 As they carried him from the courtroom
 And were taking him away
 “My trip hasn’t been a pleasant one
 And my time it isn’t long
 And I still do not know
 What it was that I’ve done wrong”

Well, the judge, he cast his robe aside
 tear came to his eye
 “You fail to understand,” he said
 “Why must you even try?”
 Outside, the crowd was stirring
 You could hear it from the door
 Inside, the judge was stepping down
 While the jury cried for more

“Oh, stop that cursed jury”
 Cried the attendant and the nurse
 “The trial was bad enough
 But this is ten times worse”
 Just then a bolt of lightning
 [bad word] the courthouse out of shape
 And while ev’rybody knelt to pray
 The drifter did escape