[Intro]
You see, di best thing in life are free
I want to be free like a bird in a tree
[Chorus]
Mi nah go a penitentiary (No way)
Mi nah go a penitentiary
Mi prefer free an' mi belly empty
Mi prefer free an' mi belly empty
[Verse 1]
Cah, mi no want no warden run-come lick mi
Mi have a big family that depend on mi
An' if mi go a prison, dem will left be hungry
Mi have mi wife an' mi whole heap of pickney
Mi have mi wife an' mi whole heap of pickney
[Chorus]
That's why mi nah go a penitentiary (A so mi say)
Mi nah go a penitentiary
Mi prefer free an' mi belly еmpty
[Verse 2]
Mi know two youth an' dem deh ya GP
Mi know two youth an' dem dеh ya GP
Dem say in deh no lovely
Cho let mi tell you, say, dem want to be free
Di best thing in life are free
Di best thing in life are free
That's why mi nah go a penitentiary
Cah, if mi go a jail, a pure man mi are go see
If mi go a jail, a pure man mi are go see
Mi prefer free an' have di girls plenty
Mi prefer free an' have di girls plenty
[Chorus]
That's why mi nah go a penitentiary (A natty say)
Mi nah go a penitentiary
Mi prefer free an' mi belly empty
Cah, mi no want no warden run-come lick mi
[Verse 3]
Mi 'fraid mi might blind or dem lick out mi spine
Mi 'fraid mi might blind or dem lick out mi spine
Mi nah go a penitentiary (No way)
Nah go a penitentiary
Mi said-a I, Louie Lepkie
Cah right ya know mi said-a, mi love to be free
[Chorus]
Natty nah go a penitentiary (No way)
Nah go a penitentiary
Mi prefer free an' mi belly empty
Mi prefer free an' mi belly empty
[Verse 4]
Mi have a big family that depend on mi
An' if mi go a prison, dem will left be hungry
Mi have mi wife an' mi whole heap of pickney
Di natty can't go a penitentiary
Di best thing in life are free
Di best thing in life are free
Mi know two youth an' dem deh ya GP
Mi know two youth an' dem deh ya GP
Dem say in deh no lovely
Cho let mi tell you, said-a, in deh no lovely
Cah right ya now, mi say, dem want to be free (Huh)
[Outro]
Mi nah go a penitentiary
Cah, Louie Lepkie well fasty
An' dat di time, mi say, no want no warden run-come lick mi
That's why mi nah go a penitentiary (No way)
Mi nah go a penitentiary
Penitentiary was written by Louie Lepkie.
Penitentiary was produced by Errol Thompson.