Originally written by Sonny Curtis who played with Buddy Holly and later with the Crickets.
| G | C | G |
| Breaking rocks in the | hot | sun, |
| G | C | G |
| I fought the law and the | law | won |
| G | D7 | G |
| I fought the law and the | law | won |
| G | C | G |
| I needed money cause I | had | None, |
| G | C | G |
| I fought the law and the | law | won |
| G | D7 | G |
| I fought the law and the | law | won |
| Chorus | ||
| C | G | |
| I | miss my baby and I feel so sad I | guess my race is run, |
| C | |
| Well | she's the best girl that I ever had |
| G | C | G |
| I fought the law and the | law | won |
| G | D7 | G |
| I fought the law and the | law | won |
| Break |
| G | C | G |
| Robbing people with a | six | gun |
| G | C | G |
| I fought the law and the | law | won |
| G | D7 | G |
| I fought the law and the | law | won |
| G | C | G |
| I miss my baby and the | good | fun, |
| G | C | G |
| I fought the law and the | law | won |
| G | D7 | G |
| I fought the law and the | law | won |
| Chorus |