You looked for trouble and you found it, son 
Straight down the barrel of a lawman's gun 
You'd try to run, but you don't think you can 
You make one move and you're dead man, friend 

I ain't living long like this 
I can't live at all like this, can I, baby 
He slipped the handcuffs on behind my back 
Then he left me freezing on a steel rail track 
They got 'em all in the jailhouse, ain't they, baby 
I ain't living long like this 

Grew up in Houston, off of Wayside drive 
Son of a car hop in some all night dive 
Dad drove a stock car to an early death 
All I remember was a drunk man's breath 

I ain't living long like this
I can't live at all like this, can I, baby 
We know the story how the wheel goes 'round 
Don't let 'em take you to the man downtown 
Can't sleep at all in the jailhouse, baby 
I ain't living long like this 

You live for Angel, she's a roadhouse queen 
Make Texas Ruby look like Sandra Dee 
You want to love her but you don't know how 
You're at the bottom of the jailhouse now 

I ain't living long like this 
I can't live at all like this, can I, baby 
You know the story 'bout the jailhouse rock 
Go on and do it, but just don't get caught 
They got 'em all in the jailhouse, ain't they, baby 
I ain't living long like this