Prison Song lyrics

Prison Song (Nash)

One day a friend took me aside
and said I have to leave you
for buying something from a friend
they say I've done wrong
for protecting the name of a man
they say I'll have to leave you
so now I'm bidding you farewell
for much too long
And here's a song to sing
for every man inside
if he can hear you sing
it's an open door
There's not a rich man there
who couldn't pay his way
and buy the freedom that's a high price for the poor

Another friend said to her kids
I'm gonna have to leave you
for selling something to the man
I guess I did wrong
and although I did the best I could
I'm gonna have to leave you
so now I'm kissing you farewell
for much too long
And here's a song to sing
for every man inside
if he can hear you sing
it's an open door
There's not a rich man there
who couldn't pay his way
and buy the freedom that's a high price for the poor