I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am
But they won't let my secret go untold
I paid the debt I owed 'em but they're still not satisfied

Now I'm a branded man out in the cold

When they let me out of prison I held my head up high
Determined I would rise above the shame
But no matter where I'm living a black mark follows me
Now I'm branded with a number on my name
I'd like to hold my head up...
[ guitar ]
If I live to be a hundred I guess I'll never clear my name
Cause everybody knows I've been in jail
No matter where I'm living I've got to tell 'em where I been
Or they'll send me back to prison if I fail
I'd like to hold my head up...
Now I'm a branded man out in the cold