I went to the warden's party,
Hopin' I could make amends.
It's in the penitentiary;
He sat there with his friends.

When I got to the pardon party,
They didn't know my name--
Called me 10-1-9-3,
It's just a numbers game.

CHORUS:
I can't take flight now,
I languish in a cell.
I'll see ya--freedom will not come
Unless I release myself.


There were fake smiles all around,
Masking their empty stares.
Like working for Wal-Mart--
I won't get treated fair.

One guy was a snorer,
He had closed his eyes.
Mist was huge when he sent achoos
Wafting through the skies.

CHORUS

Played me like an old con--
That's part of the game.
They found it amusing,
Said I was to blame.

He said, "Fellows want marry you,
But you belong to me.
I've caged you like a monkey, chump,
You will never leave."

CHORUS

Back in my cell, with a locked door,
Then schlepped out into the woods--
Flailing at larches until down they fell.
And then in line we stood.

No more wastin' time at pardon parties.
Into vehicle lot I snuck,
Then I took the keys, peed in the tanks,
Drove off in a dump truck.

So I take flight now.
I learned my lesson well,
Watching "Cool Hand" and "Fugitive"
While a-lyin' in my cell.