Well, them four walls of Raiford are closin' in on me
Doin' three to five, hard labor, for armed robbery
I had two years behind me but I could not wait the time
Every time I thought about it, well, I died some more inside

And I had stripes on my back and memories that hurt
For the only time I seen sunshine is when I went to work
Diggin' ditches for the chain gang - sleepin' in the hole
Oh, Lord, please forgive me for I could not wait parole

And [bad word]  home to see you, Jesus - Well, it feels so close this time
Please take mercy on a soldier from the Florida-Georgia line
When they find me, they must kill me; Oh, Jesus, save my soul
I can't go back down to Raiford; I can't take that anymore

These last few years behind me, Oh Lord, have been so sad
I fought proudly for my country when the times were bad
Now they say I'm guilty-When they find me I must die
Only me and Jesus know that I never stole a dime

Well, when Vietnam was over, there was no work here for me
I had a pretty wife a-waitin' and two kids I had to feed
Well, I'm one of America's heroes- when they shoot me down,
Won't you fly Old Glory proudly - put my medals in the ground

And [bad word]  home to see you, Jesus - Oh, it feels so close this time
Please take mercy on a soldier from the Florida-Georgia line
When they find me, they must kill me; Oh, Jesus, save my soul
I can't go back down to Raiford; I can't take that anymore