Now they put me in this jailhouse, twenty long years today,
And it’s drivin’ me crazy, I’ve got thirty more years to stay.

The jailhouse, boy ‘s a lonesome place.
Especially when that turnkey, slams the door in your face.

Now they set me up for blackmail, and I can’t even sign my name.
Some dirty rat pulled this job, and I’ve got ta bare the blame.

I even killed my last dolla’, the doors was a beggin’ hand,
Then bad luck passed all the crooks and I had ta, be that fallin’ man.

Boys I been laying in this death cell, writin’ my time upside the wall.
When I had plenty of money I had friends, now I’m in trouble, ain’t got a friend at all.

Boys, it’s a pity, but I sure can’t understand.
They said the judge is for justice, and still he framed an innocent man.

I was put in this cell, twenty long years ago.
Some poor men lives their time out, and some never lives to go.