Well, they're hanging Joe Bean
This morning
For killing a man in Arkansas
Funny thing about it
Joe Bean never heard of the man
In fact Joe Bean never has been to Arkansas
And on top of that all
Today is Joe Bean's twentieth birthday
See where the gallows stand, Joe Bean
See where the gallows stand
Just twenty short years
From the day you were born
You'll die by the hangman's hand
They're hanging Joe Bean
This morning
For a shooting that he never did
He killed twenty men
By the time he was ten
He was an unruly kid
But they're hanging Joe Bean
For the one shooting
That he never did
See through the prison bars, Joe Bean
See where the gallows stand
Just twenty short years
From the day you were born
You'll die by the hangman's hand
Well, your mother's in capitol city
Asking governor Simms for a stay
And it's really hard on her
Cause she knows where you were
On that particular day
You were working, Joe Bean
Hard working
Robbing the Santa Fe
Well, the telegraph wires are humming
Here, the governor's words come through
"I can't set you free
Cause it's not up to me
But this much
Joe Bean, I'll do
I'll join your mother
In extending
Birthday greetings to you"
Happy Birthday, Joe Bean
Happy Birthday, Joe Bean
Happy Birthday, dear Joe
Happy Birthday to you