C

[VERSE 1]

 C             Bb              C 
Billy Dalton staggered on the sidewalk
                  Bb             C 
Someone said he stumbled and he fell
                       Bb             C 
Six squad cars came screaming to the rescue
                  Bb            C 
Hauled old Billy Dalton off to jail

[CHORUS]

            F             C              F
'Cause the law is for protection of the people
                     C            F
Rules are rules and any fool can see
                   Eb               F
We don't need no drunks like Billy Dalton
  Dm                              G       G7
Scarin' decent folks like you and me, no siree

[VERSE 2]

           C            Bb            C
Homer Lee Hunnicut was nothing but a hippie
                      Bb              C
Walking through this world without a care
                     Bb              C
Then one day, six strapping brave policemen
                 Bb              C
Held down Homer Lee and cut his hair

[CHORUS]

            F             C              F
'Cause the law is for protection of the people
                     C            F
Rules are rules and any fool can see
                 Eb             F
We don't need no hairy headed hippies
  Dm                              G       G7
Scarin' decent folks like you and me, no siree

[VERSE 3]

     C                Bb                 C
So thank your lucky stars you've got protection
                   Bb              C
Walk the line, and never mind the cost
                           Bb            C
And don't wonder who them lawmen was protecting
                      Bb             C
When they nailed the savior to the cross

[CHORUS]

            F             C              F
'Cause the law is for protection of the people
                     C            F
Rules are rules and any fool can see
                  Eb               F
We don't need no riddle speaking prophets
  Dm                              G       G7
Scarin' decent folks like you and me, no siree