Tom Paxton – High Sheriff Of Hazard (Guitar)

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Now the High Sheriff of Hazard is a hard working man.

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To be a fine sheriff is his only plan.

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With his hands in our pockets he takes what he can,

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For he's the High Sheriff of Hazard.

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He went through my pockets, and searched them with care,

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But nary a nickel or penny was there.

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So I got thirty days and some bumps in my hair.

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God bless the High Sheriff of Hazard.

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He caught me one evening and here's what he said:

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"You look like a Russian, you look like a Red,

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And if you are fond of your skin and your head,

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Beware the High Sheriff of Hazard".

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I thanked him politely, I thanked him for all,

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And five minutes later I made a phone call,

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To call a strike meeting at our union hall

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And damn the High Sheriff of Hazard.

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Now, men there are plenty who sweat out their lives,

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To scratch out a living for children and wives,

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They sweat for their pennies while the mine owner thrives

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With the blessing of the High Sheriff of Hazard.

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And when union men strike and the troubles come on

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The High Sheriff's word is the mine owner's bond

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He's a mine owner, too; you know which side he's on

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He's the wealthy High Sheriff of Hazard

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Well, it seems to be so since this world first began

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That some men are willing to scheme and to plan

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To gouge out a fortune from the poor working man

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For example, the High Sheriff of Hazard

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But the answer is simple, the answer is clear

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We'll all get together with nothing to fear

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And throw the old bastard right out on his ear

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Farewell to the High Sheriff of Hazard