(Rodney Crowell)

I looked for trouble and I found it son
Straight down the barrel of a lawman's gun
I'd try to run but you I don't think I can
You make one move and you're a dead man friend.

I ain't living long like this,
I can't live at all like this, can I baby?
He slipped the handcuffs on behind my back
Then left me freezing on a steel rail track.

They got 'em all in the jailhouse baby
I ain't living long like this
I can't live at all like this, can I baby?

Grew up in Houston off of Wayside Drive
Son of a carhop in some old night dive
Dad drove a stock car to an early death
All I remember was a drunk man's breath.

I ain't living long like this
I can't live at all like this, can I baby?

We know the story how the wheel goes round
Don't let 'em take you to the man downtown
Can't sleep at all in the jailhouse baby
I ain't living long like this
I can't live at all like this, can I baby?

--- Instrumental ---

I live for angel, she's a roadhouse queen
Make Texas Ruby look like Sandra Dee
I want to love her but I don't know how
I'm at the bottom of the jailhouse now.

I ain't living long like this
I can't live at all like this, can I baby?

You know the story bout the jailhouse rock
Go on and do it but just don't get caught
They got 'em all in the jailhouse baby
I ain't living long like this
I can't live at all like this, can I baby?...