Merle Haggard - Branded Man

I'd like to hold my head up
and be proud of who I am
but they won't let my secret go untold.
I paid the debt I owed them
but they're still not satisfied
now I'm a branded man out in the cold.

When they let me out of prison
I held my head up high
Determined I would rise above the shame.
But no matter where I'm living
the black mark follows me.
I'm branded with a number on my name.

I'd like to hold my head up
and be proud of who I am
but they won't let my secret go untold.
I payed the debt them