San Quentin you've been livin' hell to me

You've hosted me since nineteen sixty three

I've seen 'em come and go and I've seen them die

And long ago I stopped askin' why

San Quentin I hate every inch of you

You've cut me and have scarred me thru an' thru

And I'll walk out a wiser weaker man;

Mister Congressman why can't you understand

San Quentin what good do you think you do

Do you think I'll be different when you're through

You bend my heart and mind and you warp my soul

Your stone walls turn my blood a little cold

San Quentin may you rot and burn in hell

May your walls fall and may I live to tell

May all the world forget you ever stood

And may all the world regret you did no good

San Quentin you've been livin' hell to me