Ninety Nine Years (Dead Or Alive)
Composer(s): Sid Wayne; John Benson Brooks
Performer(s): Guy Mitchell



(sound of hammer on steel
as in Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang" are heard throughout)

Now today I'm thinkin' 'bout the ninth of June
I found my friend and my baby at the Golden Spoon
He jumped off the stool and come at me with a knife
Said "We both can't have her, so fight for your life"

Ninety nine years in the penitentiary
Ninety nine years, baby, baby, wait for me
Ninety nine years, around twenty fifty five
We'll get together dead or alive

Now today I'm thinkin' 'bout that courtroom trial
I was so sad, baby, saw you weepin' like a child
Ah, the jury found me guilty, wouldn't listen to my plea
And the judge said "Mercy" threw the book at me

Ninety nine years in the penitentiary
Ninety nine years, baby, baby, wait for me
(Ninety nine years), around twenty fifty five
We'll get together dead or alive

Now today I'm thinkin' (today I'm a-thinkin')
'bout my old friend Turk ('bout my old friend Turk)
Must be laughin' with the angels (must be laughin' with the angels)
Loafin' while I work (loafin' while I work)
Ah, they beat me when I don't (ah, they beat me when I don't)
And they beat me when I do (and they beat me when I do)
Hey, but I can take it, baby, for you

Ninety nine years in the penitentiary
(Ninety nine years), baby, baby, wait for me
(Ninety nine years), around twenty fifty five
We'll get together dead or alive

Fade

(Ninety nine years)
(Ninety nine years)