Going by the Book

These guys that knot their bed sheets into ropes
And saw through iron bars with sand on string
Are in my firm opinion simply dopes.
Experience has not taught them a thing.
Sure, they get out but out they do not stay
And that’s the point of any get-away.
I’m leaving by the front gate, openly.
I’m going to make the system work for me.

I’ll be a model prisoner, earn parole,
I’ll get religion bad and bleach me soul
To dazzling whiteness, wear me pant’s knees thin
With everlasting prayer. Then I’ll begin
To preach the judgement, warn all to repent
Like me, do penance for the lives they’ve spent.
They’ll get so brassed-off with me piety
They’ll PLEAD to have the system work for me.

When I get out, I’ll wear me old gang patch,
Look up the boys but this time no bank snatch
Allures because law changes indicate
A better lurk, employee advocate.
A subtle job where threats may be implied
And afterwards self-righteously denied.
As spearhead of a just society,
I’ll make DAMN SURE the system works for me.