Intro: E
Verse:
E C#m
Oh, he listens to the countdown, every Sunday morning
A E
From a cold solitary prison cell
E C#m
And the music from his radio is like freedom down a dirt toad
A B
Makes that eight by ten a brighter hill
B A
Before he started doing all the hard time that he's doing
E Emaj7 C#m
He was singing in them honky-tonks and dives
E B E
He dreamed of being somebody, now he's number 37405
verse:
E C#m
Well she used to come and see him, every other weekend
A E
And bring him all the news from way back home
E
It's been two birthdays since he's kissed her,
C#m
Five seconds since he's missed her
A B
Now the perfume on those letters ain't that strong
B A
He's got too much time to think about the night he had too much to drink
E Emaj7 C#m
And all his buddies, they begged him not to drive
E B A
Mr. Life of the Party, he's now number 37405
Instrumental: A C#m B C#m, A C#m B
verse:
E C#m
Old judge on the bench said, "Son, your crime's got consequences."
A E
It's what he told him, fifteen years ago
E C#m
He took a life and that's a fact, he'd give his own to give it back
A B
Today's the day he finally gets parole
B A
He turns in them prison clothes, and stands there at the fork in the road
E Emaj7 C#m
And mama prays and waits while he decides
B
And the angels close their eyes...
E C#m
Listens to the birds sing on a perfect autumn morning
A E
Just down the road, rings an old church bell
Instrumental-out: C#m A E (6x)