Joe Bean

Well, they're hanging Joe Bean this morning
For killing a man in Arkansas
Funny thing about it, Joe Bean
Never even heard of the man
In fact, Joe Bean never has been to Arkansas
And to top that off
Today is Joe Bean's twentieth birthday

See where the gallows stand Joe Bean
See where the gallows stand
Just twenty short years from the day you were born
You'll die by the hangman's hand

They're hanging Joe Bean this morning
For a shooting that he never did
He killed twenty men
By the time he was ten
He was an unruly kid
But they're hanging Joe Bean
For the one shooting
That he never did

See through the prison bars Joe Bean
See where the gallows stand
Just twenty short years from the day you were born
You'll die by the hangman's hand

Well your mother's at the Capitol City
Asking Governor Sims for a stay
And it's realy hard on her
'Cause she knows where you were
On that particular day
You were working, Joe Bean
Hard working
Robbing the Santa Fe

Well, the telegraph wires are humming
Here, the Governor's words come through
I can't set you free, 'cause it's not up to me
But this much, Joe Bean, I'll do
I'll join your mother in extending
Birthday greetings to you

Happy Birthday, Joe Bean
Happy Birthday, Joe Bean
Happy Birthday, Dear Joe
Happy Birthday, to you