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