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
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