Never woulda hitch hiked to Birmingham
 If it hadn't been for love
 Never woulda caught the train to Louisian'
 If it hadn't been for love

 Never [bad word] through the blinding rain
 Without one dollar to my name
 If it hadn't been
 If it hadn't been for love

 Never woulda seen the trouble that I'm in
 If it hadn't been for love
 Woulda been gone like a wayward wind
 If it hadn't been for love

 Nobody knows it better than me
 I wouldn't be wishing I was free
 If it hadn't been
 If it hadn't been for love

 Four cold walls against my will
 At least I know she's lying still
 Four cold walls without parole
 Lord have mercy on my soul

 Never woulda gone to that side of town
 If it hadn't been for love
 Never woulda took a mind to track her down
 If it hadn't been for love

 Never woulda loaded up a 44
 Put myself behind a jailhouse door
 If it hadn't been
 If it hadn't been for love

 Four cold walls against my will
 At least I know she's lying still
 Four cold walls without parole
 Lord have mercy on my soul

 Never woulda hitch hiked to Birmingham
 If it hadn't been for love
 Never woulda caught the train to Louisian'
 If it hadn't been for love

 Never woulda loaded up a 44
 Put myself behind a jailhouse door
 If it hadn't been
 If it hadn't been for love

 If it hadn't been
 If it hadn't been for love
 If it hadn't been
 If it hadn't been for love