San CQuentin, you've been G7livin' hell to Cme C
You'Cve hosted me since Fnineteen sixty Cthree C
I've Fseen 'em come and Fgo and I've seen them Cdie [G7 C]
And Clong ago I G7stopped askin' Cwhy C


2. San Quentin, I hate every inch of you.
You've cut me and have scarred me thru an' thru.
And I'll walk out a wiser weaker man;
Mister Congressman why can't you understand.

3. San Quentin, what good do you think you do?
Do you think I'll be different when you're through?
You bent my heart and mind and you may bent my soul,
And your stone walls turn my blood a little cold.

4. San Quentin, may you rot and burn in hell.
May your walls fall and may I live to tell.
May all the world forget you ever stood.
And may all the world regret you did no good.

San Quentin, you've been livin' hell to me.