The first time that he stole it was just a piece of candy
The next time took a bill from the wallet of his daddy
Then he and a friend broke into a house on the weekend
Before long hit a store now he's looking for a big score
When he was a boy his daddy said don't be a thief
Take my advice one day you're gonna pay don't throw your life away
Got a gun copped a gem started bragging to his friends
Wasn't long it went wrong and it was over like a pop song
The judge said needs a lesson put him in the house of detention
Give him time to reconsider a life of crime for something better
When he was a boy his daddy said don't be a thief
Take my advice one day you're gonna pay don't throw your life away
When he was a boy his daddy said don't be a thief
Take my advice one day you're gonna pay don't throw your life away
Went to visit a man in prison he was doing time for nicking
At twenty-five he got busted now he's never going to be trusted
He was talking I was listening trying hard to be a good friend
An hour later when it was over we said goodbye and he told me
When I was a boy my daddy said don't be a thief
Take my advice one day you're gonna pay don't throw your life away