[bad word] 
Well, I've been down so [bad word] long
That it looks like up to me
Well, I've been down so very [bad word] long
That it looks like up to me
Yeah, why don't one you people
C'mon and set me free

[Verse]
I said, warden, warden, warden
Won't you break your lock and key
I said, warden, warden, warden
Won't ya break your lock and key [bad word] along here Mister
C'mon and let the poor boy be

[Bridge]
Baby, baby, baby
Won't you get down on your knees
Baby, baby, baby
Won't you get down on your knees
C'mon little darlin'
C'mon and give your love to me, oh yeah
 [bad word] 
Well, I've been down so [bad word] long
That it looks like up to me
Well, I've been down so very [bad word] long
That it looks like up to me
Yeah, why don't one you people
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon and set me free

The title was inspired by Richard Farina’s 1966 novel Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me — Farina died in a motorcycle accident two days after it was published. The lyrical content was driven by the band’s sense that they were constantly being harassed by authorities, notably Jim Morrison’s various arrests.