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