Bad Man

(album: Farewell To Paradise - 1973)

Felt unwanted and rejected as a child
Was always evil talking, dirty and running wild
Caught red-handed thieving hubcaps as a teen
Judge was lenient when you told him you'd go clean
One year's probation just added to your frustration
But a bad man's gotta pay once in a while

Did your utmost to perfect the perfect crime
Was apprehended in the phone booth stealing dimes
Tried a thousand schemes and nothing made you rich
Well, every endeavor never fails to have a hitch
Here's the place be quick it's time to face the music
Cause the bad man's gotta steal to stay alive

Now you're low and low is wearing mighty thin
Yes, you're low, you're high and then you're low again

You have precisely half a dozen phony names
You've got no mercy and Lord knows you got no shame
There's no one home, can't you see the house is dark
Ooh, the driveway's empty where a car is usually parked
Now's the time to go through any unlocked window
Cause a bad man's gotta earn a living too

Now you're down and down and down is where they have you pinned
Yes, you're down, you're up and then you're down again