I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am But they won't let my secret go untold I paid the debt I owed them, but they're still not satisfied Now I'm a branded man out in the cold When they let me out of prison, I held my head up high Determined I would rise above the shame But no matter where I'd traveled, the black mark follows me I'm branded with a number on my name I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am But they won't let my secret go untold I payed the debt them but they're still not satisfied Now I'm a branded man out in the cold If I live to be a hundred, I guess I'll never clear my name 'Cause everybody knows I've been in jail No matter where I'm living, I've got to tell them where I've been Or they'll send me back to prison if I fail I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am But they won't let my secret go untold I paid the debt I owed them, but they're still not satisfied Now I'm a branded man out in the cold Now I'm a branded man out in the cold