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

You've galled at me since nineteen-sixty-three.

I've seen 'em come and go and I've seen 'em die.

And long ago I stopped askin' why.

San Quentin, I hate ev'ry inch of you.

You've cut me and you've scarred me through and through.

And I'll walk out a wiser, weaker man.

Mister congressman, why can't you understand?

San Quentin, what good do you think you do?

Do you think that I'll be different when you're through?

You bend my heart and mind, and you warp my soul.

Your stone walls turn my blood a little cold.

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 the whole world will regret you did no good.

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