penitentiary blues

and i never worked before

'bout to blow my fuse

penitentiary blues

they gave me clothes on tuesday

like i ain't ever seen before

the kind of rags my momma used

to scrub our kitchen floor

and funny square-toed shoes

penitentiary blues

all that marijuana

selling cocaine

now they're taking blood tests

from my heroin vein

oh baby

things i used to do now

i was born to lose

penitentiary blues

i miss my main street women

i miss my monkey grady wine

i miss the cats down on the corner

we used to have a swingin' time

chalkin' up our cues

penitentiary blues

all that marijuana

selling cocaine

now they're taking blood tests

from my heroin vein

oh baby

things i used to do now

i was born to lose

penitentiary blues