They accused me of forgery, I couldn't write my name They accused me of looking and I didn't see a thing Didn't mean to cause no trouble and I meant no bodily harm All I had was this body and the muscle in my arm They gave me the third degree They hung me from a tree, third degreeAnd they're giving me the third degree But it's plain to see without a learned degree I didn't know a chopping hoe could bring a mountain down They're giving me the third degree They hung me from a tree, that third degreeShe came down the turn row with a bucket in her hand She brought Alberta peaches and they all knew I's her man She didn't have no business hanging out down where they were And everybody wants something and they all wanted herThey're giving me the third degree But it's plain to see without a learned degree I didn't know a chopping hoe could bring a mountain down And they're giving me the third degree They hung me from a tree, that third degree That third degreeSiting with my peaches when I heard her crying out Peaches in my pocket and blood here on this ground They took her away from me, they took her away from me They took her away from me in a third degree In a third degree It's a third degree
