You say I'm an evil man, For stealin' from a passenger train, But have mercy on this ol' boy, I sweat that I can explain. I took the diamond, from the safe of your soul, I dug deep and wide and put it down in a hole, I put it down there so nobody would know, That I tried to turn back but I couldn't let go.
[Chorus] Times were hard, they brought me down, At least I can say that I tried, Well I aint that bad, well I aint that good, I just did what I did to get by. I did what I did to get by.
Though it wasn't long ago, You said I would do what I done, That I'd bear the pain of the passenger train, And live my life on the run. I tried to hide from the things in my mind, The night time was cold but the darkness was kind, As I went down, and laid on my side, I closed my eyes and I dreamed that I died,
[Chorus] Times were hard, they brought me down, At least I can say that I tried, Well I aint that bad, well I aint that good, I just did what I did to get by. I did what I did to get by. I did what I did to get by. I did what I did to get by.
Though it was in infamy, I had my fortune and fame, After I robbed the passenger train, Nothin' was ever the same, My pockets were lined with the silver and gold, But the weight got heavy and I started to fold, I went to the steps of the ol' town hall, I said here's all my money, you can have it all,
[Chorus] Times were hard, they brought me down, At least I can say that I tried, Well I aint that bad, well I aint that good, I just did what I did to get by. I did what I did to get by. I did what I did to get by. I did what I did, I did what I did, I did what I did to get by.
I did what I did to get by. (You know I tried) I did what I did to get by. (Yeah I did) I did what I did to get by. I did what I did to get by.