<P> The sheriff arrests the man, a swift show trial is held and the man is convicted and hanged in short order . In the song's epilogue, the man's younger sister (singing in the first person) confesses that she killed Andy as well as the man's wife, whose body was disposed where it would never be found . The little sister blames the Georgia criminal justice system for her brother's death, warning in each chorus "the judge in the town's got blood stains on his hands ." </P> <P> Although Bobby Russell wrote both the lyrics and music for the song, he was reluctant to record even a demonstration because he "didn't like it ." According to Lawrence, who was married to Russell at the time, she believed it was destined to be successful and recorded the demo herself . The publishers and the record label did not quite know how to pitch the song, as it was not really a country or a pop song . The first thought was to offer the song to actress / singer Liza Minnelli, but eventually it was offered to singer Cher, but her then - husband and manager Sonny Bono reportedly refused it, as he was said to be concerned that the song might offend Cher's southern fans . Without a singer to record the song, Lawrence went into a studio and recorded it professionally herself, with the instrumental backing of L.A. session musicians from the Wrecking Crew, then pressed the label to release it as a single . </P> <P> Released as a single in June 1972, the song would ultimately become a number - one success for Lawrence, topping the Hot 100 chart in early 1973 . Lawrence was, at the time, a regular performer on the ensemble variety comedy television show The Carol Burnett Show . It scored number six on the Easy Listening chart, and it peaked at number 36 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart . It was number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, and was finally topped by Tony Orlando and Dawn's "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree". Billboard ranked it as the No. 11 song for 1973 . </P> <P> In Canada, the single version scored number one, as well, topping the RPM 100 national singles chart on May 5 of the same year . On the RPM Country Singles chart, it reached #25 . </P>

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