[Verse 1]
I was in a sad and sorry state the day they brought me through that gate,
I felt just like a bird in the great big cage.
Then they put me in a wing where the lifer's think they're king,
if you're weak you'll never live to see old age.
 
[Chorus]
Long Bay Gaol, you're cruel and bad, you have made sane men go mad,
some have even took their lives at different times.
But you won't do that to me, I'll still be sane when they set me free
and I pray to God to help me keep my mind.
 
[Verse 2]
As crews slams doors in all the slots, he slips the bolts, snaps the locks,
some crims keeps yelling out abuse at him.
Then it was lonesome time again, I had no books, I had no pen,
waiting 16 hours to hear that big bell ring.
 
[Chorus]
Long Bay Gaol, you're cruel and bad, you have made sane men go mad,
some have even took their lives at different times.
But you won't do that to me, I'll still be sane when they set me free
and I pray to God to help me keep my mind.
 
[Verse 3]
  I pace up and down my cell, I feel I've died and this is hell,
  to stop me going mad I lay and think
of my family in the scrub, my pals down at the pub
and what's happening up at Saga's where I drink.
My release ain't far away, I won't worry on that day
about your canes and rules you put on me.
Won't hear door slams in the slot, sliding bolts, snapping locks,
I have paid my debt again I will be free.
 
[End-Chorus]
Long Bay Gaol, you're cruel and bad, you have made sane men go mad,
some have even took their lives at different times.
But you won't do that to me, I'll still be sane when they set me free
and I pray to God to help me keep my mind.
Yes, I pray to God to help me keep my mind.