So now you’re free in the big world Count the cost: freedom has to pay its way Dreams are arrested; they wear handcuffs As your future is slowly lead away Locked by society behind bars For getting into houses, getting hold of a car Chorus The prisoner looks like you and me The prisoner who longs to be free The prisoner could walk the streets each day But the prisoner just can’t get away So when do you finally get out For these years and years of good behaviour? Only if you can pay the Gov’nor You’ll escape the tears of more hard labour Just kiss your life goodbye through those doors The prisoner’s held behind paper and plastic walls Chorus Middle Eight Looking in the mirror counting grey hairs and lines The prisoner dreams of escape, (to) distant better times Waiting for parole, paying off all these debts Scratches on the wall, the jailor won’t let you forget… Chorus …That the prisoner looks like you and me The prisoner who longs to be free The prisoner could walk the streets each day But the prisoner just can’t get away The prisoner looks like you and me The prisoner who longs to be free The prisoner that walks the streets each day Is the prisoner that just can’t get away So look in the mirror, you really must do Look in the mirror: the prisoner is you Lyrics © Chris Breen November 2004