They tied me up and they sent me down
And I fought to make a living
I loved a woman and she loved me back
We tried to stay in the middle of the tracks
Too many papers on my back
I never chose to live this way.
You're a liar if you say I did.
It ain't easy being poor,
but if it wasn't for the Lord,
I'd just pray something else instead.
when I couldn't get a start
and it tore my life and my
There's more love in this broken heart
than a lot I'd like to mention.
Now I spend my days in the prison yard
And my lonely nights behind different bars
I count the footsteps and the stars
And the years of my detention
I never chose to live this way
You're a liar if you say I did
But if it wasn't for the loan
I'd just raise something else in
It's not that black and white
who doesn't sleep at night
But there ain't no work like doing it right
The babies cry and the engines whine
Now I've done some things
And I've done some things
but I wouldn't lie to vet,
cause I've been through my back pages
I never chose to live this way,
you're a liar if you say I did
It ain't easy being poor,
but if it wasn't for the law,
I'd just pray something else instead
It ain't easy being poor,
but if it wasn't for the law,
I'd just pray something else instead
