Somebody told me about it
When I was still a little boy
He said to me, crime does not pay
He said to me, education is the key, yeah

As a little boy I thought I knew
What I was doing, yeah man
But today here I am in jail

Chorus:
I' m a prisoner (x3)

I looked all around me
But to see nothing
but four grey walls staring at me
the policeman said to me, son
They won' t build no schools anymore
All they' ll build will be prison, prison (x3)
'cos today, yeah

Chorus:
I am a prisoner (x2) I' m a prisoner
Dear lord

I asked the policeman and said
How much must I pay for my freedom?
He said to me, son
They won' t build no schools anymore
They won' t build no hospitals (x2)
All they' ll build will be prison, prison (x4)

Chorus till fade