I've got a sad, sad story friend, that I don't like to tell I had a home and family when they locked me in this cell I've been in here 18 years, a long, long time I know But time don't mean a thing to me 'cause I've got life to go Well, I went one night where the lights were bright To see what I could see I met up with an old friend who thought the world of me Well, he brought me drinks, and he took me to every honky-tonk in town Then words were said and now he's dead I guess I had to bring him down Well, it's been a long, long time now since I've heard from my wife I know I'd be there with her if I hadn't used the knife Well, I bet that little girl of mine don't realize or know Her daddy's been here 18 years, I've still got life to go ♪ Well, I bet there's not one man outside that spent this long in jail I'll be here in this prison 'til my body's just a shell No, I can't be free to go and see the ones that I love so I been in here 18 years, I've still got life to go Yes, I've still got life to go Yes, I've still got life to go