Got there on Monday

Behind this wall and all them doors

You got me doin' work, woman

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 veins

Oh baby

Things I used to do now

I was born to lose

Penitentiary blues

I miss my main street women

I miss my Ohio street wine

I miss the cats down on the corner

We used to have a swingin' time, child

Chalkin' up our cues

Penitentiary blues

All that marijuana

Selling cocaine

Now they're taking blood tests

From my heroin veins

Oh baby

Things I used to do now

I was born to lose

Penitentiary blues