It starts with...

One day...I had a fight.
I started throwing punches out, left and right.
Then the cops came. I had to explain
I wasn't all to blame.

They said no...

Fights are a serious crime.
Can't you tell, pal, you'll be doing some time.
Then I got down, and I started to wail.
Gonna put me in jail.

It's so unfair...

Didn't set me free.
Watch 'em put me before a jury.
Looking through the court, many people that I see.
Waiting around just to...

Hear my plea...

I didn't want to confess.
And during the recess, I gave up all hope.
Then they sentenced me... penitentiary.
Till I'm twenty-three...for a crime that...

I tried to shun. I tried to run.
But in the pen, they never really listen.
This is absurd. I'm no jailbird.
But in the pen, they never really listen.

One day...I got parole.
They told me that I needed more self-control.
Then, they implied, I should try to hide
All my anger inside.

Good advice...

Despite all the punishment I received,
After jail, I started to feel quite relieved.
Consequently, I hope you never believed
I would stop my...

Reign of crime...

Things weren't the same after I left.
I couldn't even shop anymore without a theft.
I have freedom after ten.
I never really had that...

In the pen...

Then two people saw me thieve.
I couldn't let them leave, so I offed them both.
Then they had me tried...double homicide.
There's no place to hide...from this crime that...

I didn't start. I had no part.
But in the pen, they never really listen.
Why can't you see. I'm not guilty.
But in the pen, they never really listen.

They put their cuffs...on me.
Tied them as tight for the next trial.
The judge told me
I would be walking the green mile.

They put their cuffs...on me.
Tied them real tight for the next trial.
The judge told me
I would be walking the green mile.

I tried to plead. They will not heed.
Cause in the pen, they want you life to end.
I'm in despair—I see the chair.
I'm in the pen, my life's about to end.