Ninety Nine Years

My mama always told me better than to play with a loaded gun If I'd've just listened to her she'd've never had a prisoner for a son The picture's still in front of my eyes, the echo in my ears When the jury said he's guilty and the judge said ninety-nine years Chorus: Oh, for ninety-nine years I'll watch the sun rise over that same old sea Ninety-nine years nothing but an empty cell for company Yet there's not very much that stands between me and the freedom I hold dear Just a thousand bars, a big brick wall and a sentence of ninety-nine years I kissed my darling on her tender lips and they took me by the hand I had a nice little ride on a ferry boat to the rock where the prison stands The warden said as he locked the door, I hope you'll like it here Just make yourself at home, you're gonna be with us ninety-nine years I've almost forgotten what my real name is, been a number for so long Making little bitty rocks out of great big rocks gets old as the days wear on But I'll do my best for ninety-nine years just try to stay alive 'Cause the Governor said if I'd be good, I'd get out in ninety-five Chorus