(Jum McBride, Stewart Harris)



He was born in the big iron city

Deep in the heart of Dixie, yes he was now

Raised on the good Book

Taught to take a good look at what's going on

His daddy was Birmingham lawman

A servant of the people through and through

They say blood is thicker than water

So the boy got a badge and a suit of blue



He was long on southern justice

Practiced his law out on the street

Drew the line for the criminal mind to see

Dedicated to keep God's children free



There are two sides to every big city

And he walked on the side that wasn't pretty

A solitary ranger

He had to deal with the danger 'round every turn

Every day was a tightrope of decision

Between a forty-four and a heart of gold

Some of those hard case confrontations

Would ct him like a switch-blade to his soul



Repeat Chorus



Late one night down on Crack Street Alley

He walked up on a bad deal goin' down

He knew what he'd done

When he saw that shotgun swing around

He drew then froze in hesitation

When he saw that fourteen year old face

Then the fire from that shotgun barrel

Blew all his burdens away

Blew his burdens away



Repeat Chorus