All night long I sat in my cell and cried
All night long I sat in my cell and cried
Cause this old jail got loneseome and I can't be satisfied

I tried to eat my breakfact I couldn't for shedding tears
I tried to eat my breakfact I couldn't for shedding tears
It almost breaks my heart to think of these five long years

O Lordy Lord, what am I going to do?
O Lordy Lord, what am I going to do?
Cause I walked this jail cell till I wore out all my shoes

I wouldn't treat a dog like some people are treating me
I wouldn't treat a dog like some people are treating me
They treat me like some animal that they can't even see

I don't know alabama cause Alabama's not my home
I don't know alabama cause Alabama's not my home
But ever since I've been here, I'm sorry for the day I was born

I'm singing this song cause I want everyone to know
I'm singing this song cause I want everyone to know
How a poor boy feels when he's be down to low