Cat. #0983 (MFH #740) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on March 11, 1970
VERSE 1
I would like to hold my head up
But they won't let my secret, go untold
I paid th debt I owed them
Still their not satisfied
Now, I'm a branded man out in th cold
VERSE 2
When they let me out of prison
I helt my head up high
Determine I would live above th same
No matter where I'm living
Black mark follows me
I'm branded with a number on my name
VERSE 3
If I live to be a hundred
I can never clear my name
For people, their askin' me why I was in jail
No matter where I am
I'll have to tell them were I been
Or they send me back to prison if I fail
VERSE 4
I would like to hold my head up
Be proud of who I am
But they won't let my secret, go untold
I paid th debt I owed them
Still their not satisfied
Now, I'm a branded man out in th cold