Well they're hangin' Joe Bean this mornin' for killin' a man in Arkansas

Funny thing about it Joe Bean never even heard of the man

In fact Joe Bean never has been to Arkansas

And to top that all today is Joe Bean's 20th 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 hangin' Joe Bean this mornin' for a shootin' that he never did

He killed twenty men by the time he was ten he was an unruly kid

But they're hangin' Joe Bean for the one shootin' 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 workin' Joe Bean hard workin' robbing the Santa Fe

Well the telegraph wires're hummin' hear 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