I better keep myself from being busted
   I better keep myself out of jail
   'Cause I ain't got a friend to get me trusted
   That's why my mama sends my money through the mail
  
   I've been down on my luck
   I've been down on my wealth
   I'm gotta stop taking care of business
   Start taking care of my health
  
   I've gotta leave this town
   I've gotta leave this town behind
   I've gotta leave this town tonight
  
   Well I set off down the main street
   With such a long, long way to go
   But before I started I was cornered on the corner
   Still waiting for my sugar to show
  
   I've been down on my luck
   I've been down on my wealth
   I've gotta stop taking care of somebody's else's business
   Start taking care of myself
  
   I've gotta leave this town
   I've gotta leave this town behind
   I've gotta leave this town tonight
  
   I was fooling around with the sheriff's daughter
   She was a real fine fox
   But the sheriff he came after
   And threatened to lock me in a cell box
  
   He showed me his magnum
   He showed me his shotgun
   He stuck it in my face
   And said, "Boy, I think you best be gone"
  
   I've gotta leave this town
   I've gotta leave this town behind
   I've gotta leave this town tonight