They tell me that I am no good;
They lock me up in jail.
They give me all the sloppy food
They tell me I have failed.

They take away my self-respect;
They tell me no one cares,
They tell me you will soon forget
I’m part of your nightmares.

They say they’ll throw away the key;
My cell is dark and cold.
By and by you will forget me
As I grow weak and old.

The days grow short, the nights grow long;
My time is running out
Like the end of a dreary song
I have no breath to shout.

A jailbird has no wings to fly,
Not like your feathered friends;
A jailbird can just wait to die;
His way to make amends.