in this little town

mama made fried chicken

and one of her apple pies

it's going to be a picnic

on that you can rely

daddy's got his work clothes on

but he's going to change

into a white shirt and dungarees

but his work boots will remain

it's 1869

South Carolina small town

where the law still carries

its mighty force around

you'd best be on the right side

or you will pay the price

live the life that you were born to

that is my advice

all of the neighbors

are planning to be there

the men in all their street clothes

ladies put up their hair

children with their dollies

caps in the toy guns

come and see the bad man

this should be a bit of fun

a man is at the scaffold

unflinching in their fate

ropes around their necks

it's time to celebrate

the hanging will commence

and justice comes around

it's what we call entertainment

in this little town