(Rodney Crowell)

I looked for trouble and found it son
Straight down the barrel of a lawman's gun
I'd try to run but I don't think I can
If I move I'm a dead man

Ain't livin' long like this
I can't live at all like this can I baby
He slipped the cuffs on behind my back
Then left me freezing on a steel rail rack
They got 'em all in the jailhouse don't they baby
I ain't livin' long like this
Can't live at all like this can I baby

Grew up in Houston off a wayside drive
Son of a carhop in an all-night dive
He drove a stock car to an early death
All I remember is a drunk man's breath
Ain't livin' long like this
I can't live at all like this can I baby

We know the story how the wheel goes 'round
Don't let 'em take you to the man downtown
I can't sleep at all in the jailhouse can I baby
Ain't livin' long like this
I can't live at all like this can I baby

I live for Angel she's the roadhouse queen
Make Texas Ruby look like Sandra Dee
I want to love her but I don't know how
I'm at the bottom of the jailhouse now
Ain't livin' long like this
I can't live at all like this can I baby

You know the story 'bout the jailhouse rock
Go on and do it just don't get caught
They got 'em all in the jailhouse don't they baby
Ain't livin' long like this
I can't live at all like this can I baby

Ain't livin' long like this
I swear I can't live at all like this can I baby
Oh baby
Take it home for me
Ain't livin' long like this am I baby