Title: Old Judge Duffy
Author: www.traditionalmusic.co.uk
Keywords: Folk,music,songs,lyrics,bluegrass,old-time-music

Traditional & Folk Songs with lyrics & midi music www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
Old Judge Duffy 
Old Judge Duffy 
Old John Martin Duffy was judge in our court In a small ranching town in the West; Although he knew nothing about rules of the law. For judge he was one of the best. 
One night in the winter a murder occurred, And our blacksmith accused of the crime. They caught him red-handed and though he'd two trials, The verdict was guilty each time. 
Now he was the only good blacksmith we had, And we wanted to spare him his life; So Duffy rose up in the court like a lord, And with these words he settled the strife: 
"I move we discharge him. We need him in town," Then spoke out the words that have gained him renown: "We've two Chinese laundrymen, everyone knows. Why not save the poor blacksmith and hang one of those?" 
From Southern Folk Ballads, McNeill. Collected from Clem Adams, AK, 1978. Obviously a spiritual relation of Judge Roy Bean.