In my cell so dark and dreary The touch of God's hand I can feel Asking Him to please forgive me Before Him pleading I would kneel I know someday beyond the sunset He'll call my name to make amends Till that day I'll keep on prayin' And ask that he forgive my sins Must I spend my life without a goal In the staleness of this barren hole? Must the ceiling always be my sky Is this the way my youth must die? Could fate no better world arrange Than gloomy walls that never change No stars or moon to shine on high Is this the way my youth must die? Where the sun is such a stranger Mind and soul are both in danger With naught to do but sit and sigh Is this the way my youth must die? This bare existence is not life I'd rather live in pain and strife My heart is tired but cannot cry Is this the way my youth must die? My life is merely night and day With food brought in upon a tray To let me live but not to try Is this the way my youth must die? Ah God give me the open air Give me hope and even care Let me live God and let me try 'Cause this is no way for youth to die I know someday beyond the sunset He'll call my name to make amends Till that day I'll keep on prayin' And ask that He forgive my sins