Old man blue was a friend of mine
breakin down rocks on a chain gang line
ten more years was alot to do
tunnel out seemed like a thing to do
Over the roof and under the fence
out to the road with a buck ten cents
greyhound bus to the old state sign
get him a job at the black coal mine
hound dog sniffin his destiny
guard shack ringing a bell
it's a long way back from hell.
Well, all the way to the edge of the trees
one leg shackle and two bad knees
long haul truck goin sixty five
clipped old blue but he did survive
The state police and a highway crew
picked up the one they call old man blue
fixed him up gave him food
threw him right back in the same cold room
when he died all he say, "I got seven words for you
it's a long way back from hell"
it's a long way back from hell"
all the way to the edge of the trees