A                                  E 
My mama always told me better than to play with a loaded gun 
   E                                                A 
If I'd've just listened to her she'd've never had a prisoner for a son 
    A                                        D          A  
The picture's still in front of my eyes, the echo in my ears 
         E                                                    A  
When the jury said he's guilty and the judge said ninety-nine years 
 
 
Chorus: 
        A                                         E 
Oh, for ninety-nine years I'll watch the sun rise over that same old sea 
E                                      A 
Ninety-nine years nothing but an empty cell for company 
            A                                            D              A 
Yet there's not very much that stands between me and the freedom I hold dear 
       E                                                             A 
Just a thousand bars, a big brick wall and a sentence of ninety-nine years 
 
 
I kissed my darling on her tender lips and they took me by the hand 
I had a nice little ride on a ferry boat to the rock where the prison stands 
The warden said as he locked the door, I hope you'll like it here 
Just make yourself at home, you're gonna be with us ninety-nine years 
 
I've almost forgotten what my real name is, been a number for so long 
Making little bitty rocks out of great big rocks gets old as the days wear on 
But I'll do my best for ninety-nine years just try to stay alive 
'Cause the Governor said if I'd be good, I'd get out in ninety-five 
 
Chorus