That old shoe was bound to walk now that man right out the door
This old shoe is bound to walk now, tell you what the reasons for
This old dollar bought me nothing, this dollar sick and frail
This dollar bought you something, now your man is free on bail
Now your man is free on bail
Some old souls have the courthouse to see the justice done
Some souls have the courthouse to let the wrong man run
Some souls are bound for heaven, some souls are bound for jail
Some souls can buy each other, and some souls are not for sale
You take the life of poor, black Willie
Take the life because you can
Take the life of poor, black Willie
And free another guilty man
Take the life of poor, black Willie
Take the life in Jesus' name
Take the life of poor, black Willie
And find another man to blame
Do you have no heartbeat?
Do you have no heartbeat pounding inside?
Do you have no heartbeat with which to abide?
Do you have no heartbeat when you heard that he died?
Did you have no heartbeat?
Well, you take the life of poor, black Willie
Take the life because you can
Take the life of poor, black Willie
And free another guilty man
Take the life of poor, black Willie
Take the life in Jesus' name
Take the life of poor, black Willie
And find another man to blame
(Do you have no heartbeat?) [2x]