I had a friend named Bill Campbell he used to rob steal and gamble
And on the side he'd beg so he mopped up
I told him he shouldn't do it and Campbell told me he knew it
So he started beggin' with a bucket instead of a cup

He's in the jailhouse now (he's in the jailhouse now)
He's in the jailhouse now (he's in the jailhouse now)
Well Campbell fluffed his dove when he wore a tuxedo to the country club
He's in the jailhouse now (he's in the jailhouse now)
[ guitar ]
I met his old gal Sadie she said have you seen Billy lately
I said I don't believe that he's about
She went down to the jail she went down to take him his mail
Then she whispered sheriff please don't let him out

He's in the jailhouse now (he's in the jailhouse now)
He's in the jailhouse now (he's in the jailhouse now)
While Campbell's put away Sadie's with the sheriff everyday
He's in the jailhouse now (he's in the jailhouse now)
[ guitar ]
Well I remember the last election the prohibitionists were in action
They's tryin' to elect themselves a president
Bill Canpbell and John Austin walked from New Orleans to Boston
And they've got a bottle in every settlement

They're in the jailhouse now (he's in the jailhouse now)
They're in the jailhouse now (he's in the jailhouse now)
They were down at the railroad track stealin' a train to haul it back
They're in the jailhouse now (he's in the jailhouse now)