A desperate ditty, 1911. Words by Ren Shields. Music by Leighton Bros.
Sheet Music
Accompaniment
Lyrics
There was a desperado
In the wild and wooly west
Who was not afraid of sheriffs
And to them he was a pest
In battle he was a wonder
And at shooting he was game
Harry Tracy was the desperado’s name
Chorus
Oh You Harry, Harry Tracy, Harry Tracy
In no common prison would he stay
For in most all the jails
He would find a pair of scales
Get on the scales, that’s how he got away
Chorus
Oh You Harry, Harry Tracy, Harry Tracy
He liked to lick up liquor very well
While he was doing time
He drank whiskey, beer and wine
The jail had bars in front of ev’ry cell
Chorus
Oh You Harry, Harry Tracy, Harry Tracy
Boat got filled with water
Did he shout?
No! This quick-witted soul
In the bottom bored a hole
Which very quickly let the water out
Chorus
Oh You Harry, Harry Tracy, Harry Tracy
Bad man with a gun, without a doubt
Each time he got a bun
He’d then load up his gun
And go round the town shooting off his mouth
Chorus
Oh You Harry, Harry Tracy, Harry Tracy
To buy a drink he’d never spend a sue
He would just let out a roar
Then faint on the bar room floor
And, of course, you know
They’d always bring him two
Chorus
Oh You Harry, Harry Tracy, Harry Tracy
Hold up a train? Well, I should say yes
He’d almost go insane
Every time he saw a train
That’s if the train was on a lady’s dress