He sat in faded dungarees Old slouch hat on balding head Said "write the words for me boy There's words that must be said" I did my time and paid the price For a drug filled violent youth I thought I was the main man And had a role to keep You know what I mean Anyway son I pulled a gun and shot him in the head Then laughed at his crying wife and kids As he took his last dying breath I walked away without a second glance After all he should have shown respect Respect! Yeah I was the main man on the street
Anyway for thirty years I pondered what I'd done Eventually came to realize Only notoriety comes from the barrel of a gun Inside I was nothing All ill gained fame was gone Now just a number wearing leg irons Cutting weeds beneath the sun
Tell them for me boy That it just ain't worth the cost Write the words I tell you Get the message out there Before more young boys are lost