The fate of Dewey Lee

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1. 'Twas on one Saturday evening about the hour of ten

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in a little mining town where trouble did begin.

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Everybody there were drinking, there were whisky everywhere.

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Dewey Lee got to thinking he had no business there

+ instrumental = verse 1

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2. He was so tall and handsome, his heart so true and brave,

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Joe Jenkins pulled his pistol and sent him to his grave.

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He took the life of Dewey when life had just began

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and Dewey went to heaven while Joe went to the pen.

+ instrumental = verse 2

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3. He took the life of Dewey because he would not tell,

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we know he murdered Dewey, for here his pistol fell.

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His mother sits now weeping, she weeps and mourns all day,

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she prays to meet her boy in a better world some day.

+ D - A - A7 - D

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4. So hearken to my story and what I have to say,

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get right with your maker, we'll meet him again some day.

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But first to stand up, boy, and listen to your crime,

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they sent him down to Richmond to serve out his time.

+ D - A - A7 - D

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5. Young men, all take warning, for this you must have guilt,

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don't take the life of anyone for life you cannot give

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You may possess great riches like many beneath the sod,

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but money won't hire a lawyer when you stand before your God.

(orig. = capo 2nd) (The Carter Family)