Mississippi detention camp

When I was seventeen I went out on the run
What started out to be a fantasy ended up
Getting me down in trouble and a-givin' me a pile of the blues
How was I to know the fantasy can do

Me and a couple of friends of mine we were havin' some fun
'Til we started romancing with the love of a gun
First bank that fell we felt like a king and his court too
But we ended up in the Mississippi River camp fightin' the blues

Watch those big wheels turning and got more time to do
Down on the Mississippi River detention camp fightin' the blues
I sit here rolling down a river and I dream about Mary Sue
Wish that I had her by my side livin' in a California redwood

I remember that my dear old mama she took me aside and said son
I know you've got a hell of a lot more pride than you can hide behind a gun
So remember when you're out there and the law against you
That you could've been a hell of a lot more of a man had been true

Now I watch those big wheels turnin' and I got more time to do
Down on the Mississippi River detention camp and fightin' the blues
I sit here watchin' the river and I dream about Mary Sue
Girl I left behind in Kansas and left for the outlaw dues

I go one, two, three and never count past four
Why should I do the same when I know the days are gonna just count more
I know that I've got to pay a lot of dues
Down on the Mississippi River camp and fightin' the blues

And I watch those big wheels rolling and I dream about Mary Sue
Wish that I could go back to California redwoods
If I ever make parole I'll tell you what I'm gonna do
Livin' back in the forest and I'm gonna warm myself a brew

'Cause I watch those big wheels turning and I got more time to do
Down on the Mississippi River detention camp and fightin' the blues