Waitin’ Around to Die (1968 Version)

[Verse 1]
Sometimes I don't know where this dirty road's taking me
Sometimes I don't even know the reason why
But I guess I keep a-gamblin', lots of booze, and lots of ramblin'
Well it's easier than just a-waitin' around to die

[Verse 2]
One time, friends, I had a ma, I even had a pa
Well he beat her with a belt once 'cause she cried
She told him to take care of me, headed down to Tennessee
Ah, it's easier than just a-waitin' around to die

[Verse 3]
Well I came of age and I found a girl in a Tuscaloosa bar
Ah, she cleaned me out and hit it on the sly
I tried to hide the pain, I bought some wine and hopped a train
Well it's easier than just a-waitin' around to die

[Verse 4]
Well a friend said he knew where some easy money was
We robbed a man and, brother, did we fly
The posse caught up with me, drug me back to Muskogee
Two long years a-waitin' around to die

[Verse 5]
Now I'm out of prison, I got me a friend at last
Well he don't drink or steal or cheat or lie
Well his name's codeine, he's the nicest thing I have seen
Yeah together we're gonna wait around and die
Yeah together we're gonna wait around and die