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[Verse 1]
Down where the pines trees claw the sky,
Rivers runs red and the hounds dogs cry,
They strung me up for a petty crime,
Said, "Boy, you’re payin’ with blood this time."
The judge wore black, his grin was mean,
Coldest damn heart I ever have seen,
Said, "This ain’t justice, it’s a devil’s play,"
He laughed at me and said, "Son, that’s the Arkansas way."
[Chorus]
Too cruel even for Arkansas,
Too cruel, they've lost their way
Too cruel, even for Arkansas
Someones going to have to pay
[Verse 2]
The jailhouse stinks of sweat and rust,
Don't turn your back no one to trust
They feed you grits with a side of shame,
Before long you forget your name.
The guards are corrupt as the day is long
They don't care whats right or wrong
But I stared ‘em down, spit in their face,
Hell has got no saving grace
[Chorus]
Too cruel even for Arkansas,
Too cruel, they've lost their way
Too cruel, even for Arkansas
Someones going to have to pay
[Bridge]
The Ozarks echo with the preacher’s lie,
Repent, you sinner, it’s time to fry
Too cruel for the land of the razorback,
I’m breakin’ free, and I ain’t turnin back
[Break]
[Chorus]
Too cruel even for Arkansas,
Too cruel, they've lost their way
Too cruel, even for Arkansas
Someones going to have to pay