[Verse 1]
I looked for trouble and I found it son
Straight down the barrel of a lawman's gun
I'd try to run but I don't think I can
You make one move and you're a dead man friend

[Chorus]
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 left me lyin' on a steel rail rack
Can't sleep at all in the jailhouse baby
I ain't living long like this

[Verse 2]
Grew up in Houston off of Wayside Drive
Son of a carhop in some all night dive
Dad drove a stock car to an early death
All I remember was a drunk man's breath

[Chorus]
I ain't living long like this
I can't live at all like this can I baby
You know the story how the wheel goes round
Don't let 'em take you to the man downtown
They got 'em all in the jailhouse baby
I ain't living long like this
[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
I live for an angel, she's a roadhouse queen
Make Texas Ruby look like Sandra Dee
I want to love her but I don't know how
I'm at the bottom of the jailhouse now

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

[Outro]
I can't live at all like this, can I baby?
I ain't living long like this