Lyrics

Steel bars and Bible pages in this cold Georgia cell
Sweat drips through the cinder blocks, feels just like hell
Wasted years all spinning slow, replaying every sin
If sorrow was a weapon, Lord, I’d never see this pen

The world’s on fire and I’m stuck behind this iron gate
Every man’s a killer here, and mercy comes too late
All my mamaw’s prayers and whiskey tears,
Wouldn’t buy me a damn tomorrow, wouldn’t chase away these fears

But I’ll be damned if I’ll lay down and die in a place like this
Better the devil I know than some vulture’s Judas kiss
If they come down that row for me, I won’t go alone
I’ll send ‘em first to hell before they drag me home

Regret’s a strangler in the night, squeezin’ every breath
I see my daddy’s scowl in every shadow, every threat
I know the mess I made, the blood soaked on my hands
There’s nothing left to cry about—just do what you can

Violence is currency, and damnation’s just a trade
Turn the other cheek out here, boy, and you’ll sure get played
Ghosts of my old running crew echo on these walls
But I don’t dream of freedom now, just surviving down these halls

But I’ll be damned if I’ll lay down and die in a place like this
Better the devil I know than some vulture’s Judas kiss
If they come down that row for me, I won’t go alone
I’ll send ‘em first to hell before they drag me home

Ain’t no saints in Georgia’s gray, we’re just fighting for the dawn
The broken and the hard men, one by one, they’re gone
So if today’s my payday, I’ll stare ‘em in the eye
I’ll outlive any bastard who thinks he can watch me die

‘Cause I’ll be damned if I’ll lay down and die in a place like this
Better cut the devil’s deal than wait for fate’s cold kiss
Raise a fist against the darkness, spit blood in its eye
If they want my final breath—let ‘em bring me their goodbye.