Felt unwanted and rejected as a child Was always evil talkin', dirty and running wild Caught red-handed thieving hubcaps as a teen Judge was lenient when you told him you'd go clean One year's probation just added to your frustration But a bad man's gotta pay once in a while Did your utmost to perfect the perfect crime Was apprehended in the phone booth stealing dimes Tried a thousand schemes and nothing made you rich Well every endeavor never fails to have a hitch Here's the place be quick it's time to face the music Cause the bad man's gotta steal to stay alive Now you're low and low is wearing mighty thin Yes you're low, you're high and then you're low again You have precisely half a dozen phony names You've got no mercy and Lord knows you got no shame There's no one home now can't you see the house is dark Driveway's empty where a car is usually parked Now's the time to go through any unlocked window Cause a bad man's gotta earn a living too Now you're down and down and down is where they have you pinned Yes you're down, you're up and then you're down again