Pardon my eyes for I can't see

But is there anyone beside me

Telling the tale of a life gone by

With a lion's share of greed and little pride

Pardon my hands for I can't feel

But is there anyone beside me

Who can not identify with beer-stained swagger

And reasons why

I see the face of a man in a jailyard lookin' at me

As I drive by oh so freely

I'm tied just as tightly

But I sing in my chains

Pardon my mind if it goes astray

But you caught me in a mood today

You can laugh and call me fool

But I'm playing the game as the game plays you

I see the face of a man a jailyard lookin' at me

As I drive by can he see me

I'm tied up just as tightly

But I sing in my chains