The judge said stand up boy And dry up your tears You're sentenced to Nashville For twenty-one years They sent him to Nashville To pay for his crime For twenty-one years boy Is a mighty long time A year went by slowly He wished he was dead In that dirty prison The floor for a bed The girl whom he loved boys And dreamed of each night He wrote her this letter Beg why don't you write I've counted on you babe To get me a break I guess you've forgotten I'm here for your sake Yes, you know who's guilty You know it too well But I'll rot in this prison Before I will tell The moral young fellows With hearts brave and true Don't believe any woman You're beat if you do Don't trust any woman No matter what kind For twenty-one years boys Is a mighty long time.