I've had a sad, sad story friends, that I I don't like to tell
I had a home and family, when they locked me in this cell
I've been in here for eighteen years, a long time I know
But time don't mean a thing to me 'cause I've got life to go

When I went one night where the lights were bright to see what I could see
I met up with an old friend there, who just thought the world of me
He brought me drinks and he took me to every honky tonk in town
But words were said and now he's dead, I just had to bring him down

--- Instrumental ---

It's been a long time now since I've heard from my wife
I know I'd be there with her yet if I hadn't used the knife
Well, I'll bet that little girl of mine don't realize or know
Her daddy's been here eighteen years and still got life to go

I'll bet there's not one man outside that's spent this long in jail
I'll be in this prison till my body's just a shell
No, I can't be free to go and see the ones that I love so
'Cause, I've been in here eighteen years and I've still got life to go

'Cause, I've been in here eighteen years and I've still got life to go