In the Jailhouse Now

In the Jailhouse Now

Traditional, adapted by Jimmie Rodgers.


I had a friend named Ramblin’ Bob, who used to steal, gamble, and rob.
He thought he was the smartest guy in town.
But I found out last Monday that Bob got locked up Sunday.
They’ve got him in the jailhouse way downtown.

He’s in the jailhouse now.  He’s in the jailhouse now.
I told him once or twice to quit playin’ cards and shootin’ dice.
He’s in the jailhouse now.

Oh-lay-ee-hee-ee-ee-hee  Oh-lee-oh-lee-hee-ee-ee-hee
Ah-lee-oh-ho’lay-ee-hee-heedle-ee-hee  Oh-lay-hee

He played a game called poker, pinochle, whist, and euchre,
But shootin’ dice was his greatest game.
Now he’s down-town in jail; nobody to go his bail.
The judge done said that he refused a fine.

He’s in the jailhouse now.  He’s in the jailhouse now.
I told him once or twice to quit playin’ cards and shootin’ dice.
He’s in the jailhouse now.

Ah-dee-oh-lay-ee-hee-ee-ee-hee  Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee-hee-ee-ee-hee
Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee-hee  Hee-ee-hee oh-lay-hee

I went out last Tuesday, met a girl named Susie.
I told her I was the swellest man around.
We started to spend my money, then she started to call me honey.
We took in ev’ry cabaret in town.

We’re in the jailhouse now.  We’re in the jailhouse now.
I told the judge right to his face we didn’t like to see this place.
We’re in the jailhouse now.

Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee-hee-ee-ee-hee  Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee-hee-ee-ee-hee
Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee-hee  Hee-oh-lay-ee


Collected from Victor 21245, as sung by Jimmie Rodgers, recorded February 15, 1928.