D He was born in the big iron city F G D Deep in the heart of Dixie yes he was now F Raised on the Good Book G D C Taught to take a good look at what?s goin? on G D His daddy was a Birmingham lawman C G A A servant of the people through and through D C They say blood is thicker than water G D So the boy got a badge and a suit of blue. Chorus: G D He was long on Southern Justice G A Practiced his law out on the street G D G F Drew the line for the criminal mind to see G D Dedicated to keep God?s children free. D F There are two sides to every big city G D And he walked on the one that wasn?t pretty F A solitary ranger G D C He had to deal with the danger round every turn G D C Every day was a tightrope of decision G A Between a forty-four and a heart of gold D C Some of those hard case confrontations G D Would cut him like a switch-blade to his soul. Chorus: G D G A D F Late one night down on Crack Street Alley G D He walked up on a bad deal goin? down F He knew what he?d done G D C When he saw that shotgun swing around G D C He drew then froze in hesitation G A When he saw that fourteen year old face D C Then the fire from that shotgun barrel G D Blew all his burdens away G C D Oh blew his burdens away. Chorus: X2 C G D F Dedicated to keep God?s children free G D F G Oh Lord to keep them free D Got to keep em free. F G D ?'s [email protected]