[Verse 1]
Oh, you took my word and you took my key
You took my pride and you took my dignity
How can I still pretend to be what a man should be?

[Verse 2]
Well, whatever I say is in a book
Whatever I do, there's someone there to look
You just can't shake a man the way that I've been shook

[Chorus]
Now is this the way it's supposed to be?
Is this the way it's supposed to be?
A poisoned heart and a twisted memory
Oh, is this the way it's supposed to be?
Is this the way it's supposed to be?
A poisoned heart and a twisted memory

[Verse 3]
Oh, see that lifer doing his time
If I could have his place and he'd have mine
We'd be no better off on either side of the line

[Verse 4]
Well, you took my job and you put me to sleep
You feed me money, you treat me like a creep
Wish I could get away, but I must be in it too deep
[Chorus]
Tell me is this the way it's supposed to be?
Is this the way it's supposed to be?
A poisoned heart and a twisted memory
Oh, is this the way it's supposed to be?
Is this the way it's supposed to be?
A poisoned heart and a twisted memory

[Verse 5]
Well, you tell me you're going to get in touch
You send me a letter that reads like double-Dutch
You say you're bound to lose, you're a little such-and-such

[Verse 6]
You got my number, you got my rank
You drained my head, you drained my petrol tank
And when I die of shame, I won't even know who to thank

[Chorus]
Now, now, is this the way it's supposed to be?
Is this the way it's supposed to be?
A poisoned heart and a twisted memory
Oh, is this the way it's supposed to be?
Is this the way it's supposed to be?
A poisoned heart and a twisted memory