Well I’m branded, wherever I go
Trying to outrun a bad story everybody seems to know
Might as well be wearing a ball and chain
‘Cause everywhere I travel, see my picture
With a number by my name

Spent some time in San Francisco
Locked up for vagrancy
I busted out a time or two, took a run at getting free
They put me back in the jailhouse, I finished serving my time
Turned me loose and the man said, “I’ll dog you to the end of the line”

Now I’m branded, wherever I go
Trying to outrun a bad story everybody seems to know
Might as well be wearing a ball and chain
‘Cause everywhere I travel, see my picture
With a number by my name

The trouble with the truth
It always comes around
Seems to be there waiting for me, in every town
Well I’m guilty of the crime of trying to get back home
Don’t want to bother nobody
Just want to be left alone

But I’m branded, wherever I go
Trying to outrun a bad story everybody seems to know
Might as well be wearing a ball and chain
‘Cause everywhere I travel, see my picture
With a number by my name