My mother didn't raise me to be no jailbird Doing time ain't her idea of a steady job County jail is not the place she wants to find me A prison jumpsuit ain't what she wants me to wear I didn't have to be a doctor or a lawyer Could've been any honest trade that I might choose Instead of standing here in line with my meal tray Never having nothing but the blues Please quit calling me from jail, son To raise you right I know I failed Still it breaks my heart to know you're in there Please quit calling me from jail I might of had a business suit and a briefcase A pretty wife, a bank account, a brand new car Instead of being a low down drunken loser Wondering how in the hell did I get here Oh, you will never know how much it hurts me Just to think my oldest boy is behind bars All I hope is that your brother and your sister Will not follow the path you are on Please quit calling me from jail, son To raise you right I know I failed I have done all I could do for you Please quit calling me from jail