The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Wicked Josie rode away
In the sunset covered sky
A lynching mob had strung his friend up
Right before his eyes
He didn't know what they'd both done
He sure as hell would end up one
A hot tin notch on the sheriff's gun
If he didn't move on
Get out of here
The sheriff followed Josie's journey
From Kansas in the West
He said he'd put a bullet right
Through poor old Josie's chest
But Josie wasn't like the rest
He don't like bullet holes in his vest
In fact he'd do his very best
Don't want any arrest
Don't want to be the guest
Of the sheriff
The nights got so damned cold
He couldn't stand the pace
He looked again for sheriff's men
But couldn't see the chase
Josie found a nice warm place
But then the sheriff solved the case
Hoped to find Josie's face
And said lookie here...
Sheriff rode him into town
With Josie look inside
He didn't know about the six-gun
Wicked Josie had
Then Josie drew his gun real fast
Gave the sheriff one big blast
And Josie was a song at last
A legend from the past
Nobody ever messed with the sheriff
In the sunset covered sky
A lynching mob had strung his friend up
Right before his eyes
He didn't know what they'd both done
He sure as hell would end up one
A hot tin notch on the sheriff's gun
If he didn't move on
Get out of here
The sheriff followed Josie's journey
From Kansas in the West
He said he'd put a bullet right
Through poor old Josie's chest
But Josie wasn't like the rest
He don't like bullet holes in his vest
In fact he'd do his very best
Don't want any arrest
Don't want to be the guest
Of the sheriff
The nights got so damned cold
He couldn't stand the pace
He looked again for sheriff's men
But couldn't see the chase
Josie found a nice warm place
But then the sheriff solved the case
Hoped to find Josie's face
And said lookie here...
Sheriff rode him into town
With Josie look inside
He didn't know about the six-gun
Wicked Josie had
Then Josie drew his gun real fast
Gave the sheriff one big blast
And Josie was a song at last
A legend from the past
Nobody ever messed with the sheriff
Lyrics submitted by thedanman344
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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The lyrics are off a little bit, though.
It goes-
Big Kid Josie rode away in the sunset covered sky, the lynchin' mob had strung his friends up right before his eyes. He didn't know what they'd both done, he sure as hell would end up hung, or help to notch the Sheriff's gun if he didn't move on. Get out'a here.
The Sheriff followed Josie's trail from Kansas City west, he said he'd put a bullet right through poor old Josie's chest. But Josie wasn't like the rest, he don't like bullet holes in his vest, in fact he'd do his very best, don't want any arrest. Don't wanna be the guest of the Sheriff.
The nights got so darned cold, he couldn't stand the pace, he looked again for Sheriff's men, but couldn't see a trace, so Josie found a nice warm place, but then the Sheriff solved the case, poked a gun in Josies face, and said, "lookie here."
The Sheriff rode him into town with Josie lookin' sad, he didn't know about the six-gun Big Kid Josie had, When Josie drew his gun real fast, and gave the Sheriff one big blast. Now Josie runs the town at last, a legend from the past.
Nobody ever messed with the sheriff